Interprofessional collaboration is the key to improved patient outcomes
Think beyond tradition and prepare for a new educational landscape-Dr. Al-Eraky
Business Management training should be integrated
in Medical Education – Rehan Ahmed Khan
9th Int. Conference of Shalamar Medical & Dental College
LAHORE: Shalamar Medical & Dental College organized the 9th International Conference at its campus on April 23-24 2025 which was very well attended. The scientific programme included numerous pre-conference workshops, Plenary Sessions, special Symposia and State of the Art Lectures by speakers from all over the country besides a few guest speakers from abroad as well. The organizing committee had made excellent arrangements for the meeting while the scientific committee came up with an interesting informative academic programme.
Prof. Ahsan Sethi
One of the scientific sessions devoted to ‘Bridging Theory and Practice” was chaired by Prof. Ahsan Sethi an eminent medical educationist from Qatar University along with other colleagues. It included four distinguished speakers who offered thought provoking insights that bridged the essential gap between theory and practice in medical education.
Mohamed Al-Eraky
Prof. Rehan Ahmad Khan from Riphah International University Islamabad was the first speaker who spoke about the often “unspoken curriculum” of business management in medical education. He highlighted the critical oversight in our training of doctors. While we equip them to save live, we leave them unprepared to manage budgets, negotiate policies, or sustain private practices. He argued that physicians often resist embracing business management due to its perceived conflict with their healer identity. Yet, as doctors ascend from house officers to deans, these skills become indispensable.
Vishna Devi Nadarajah
Prof. Dr. Rehan Ahmed Khan emphasized the critical need for integrating business management training within medical education. He illustrated through clinical scenarios how the absence of financial and leadership skills adversely affects patient trust and institutional outcomes. Prof. Khan highlighted that while traditional curricula rigorously teach clinical competencies, they largely neglect essential non-clinical domains such as financial literacy, organizational management, and strategic leadership. Drawing on international best practices and current initiatives in Pakistan, including those at Riphah International University, he advocated for systematic reforms to bridge this gap.
He concluded by stressing that modern healthcare professionals must evolve into system stewards, capable of balancing clinical excellence with strategic and operational acumen.
Commenting on this presentation Prof. Ahsan Sethi proposed that medical schools consider introducing business management topics as elective modules. This would ensure coverage without imposing on already packed curricula and would offer flexibility for interested students to develop these vital competencies.
Prof. Rehan Ahmed Khan
Dr. Mohamed Al-Eraky from UAE who always comes up with unique ideas was the next speaker who transported the audience into the future with his visionary talk on The Future of Medical Schools. Drawing from his “magic crystal ball,” he forecasted a shift toward personalized learning journeys, solo autonomous learners, micro-credentials, and a significant influence from healthcare industries on medical curricula. He provocatively suggested that future doctors might be assessed through public reviews, with teachers becoming educational influencers. While this paints an exciting (and somewhat unsettling) picture, one couldn’t help but wonder aloud: some patients may not survive long enough to leave their reviews! Nevertheless, Dr. Al-Eraky challenged all those present to think beyond tradition and prepare for a new educational landscape.
Photographed during the Conference dinner hosted by Shalamar Medical & Dental College the picture shows Prof. Adeela Shahid, Dr. Ali, Mr. Shaukat Ali Jawaid,
Dr. Mohamed Al-Eraky, Prof. Ahsan Sethi, Prof. Sara and others.
Building on this, Dr. Ahsan Sethi introduced the concept of collective competence. He emphasized that individual excellence, though necessary, is no longer sufficient. In modern healthcare, interprofessional collaboration—learning with, from, and about each other—is the key to improved patient outcomes. Importantly, he included healthcare managers within this conversation, broadening the traditionally doctor-centric narrative. His call for a cultural shift toward teamwork and shared responsibility resonated strongly, especially for countries like Pakistan where healthcare systems are under strain.
Finally, Prof. Vishna Devi from Malaysia rounded off the session with her dynamic presentation on Future-Proofing Faculty Development. She emphasized on continuously ensuring the purpose and relevance of the faculty development as per the context. Moreover, faculty development should not be seen as a one-off workshop but becoming a part of the community of practice. Moreover, institutions need to support and invest in faculty development. This includes embracing innovation, nurturing a growth mindset, and rethinking traditional teaching models to better serve future healthcare professionals. Her message was clear: faculty development must be proactive, flexible, and lifelong.
Presentations by these eminent medical educationists reminded all those present that standing still is not an option in healthcare or education. As Allama Iqbal has said:
The rhythms of the world have changed. A new melody has emerged, and the instruments have been replaced. So medical education must evolve—not just to produce good doctors, but competent healthcare professionals who are business-savvy, technologically agile, collaboratively competent, and continuously learning. In bridging theory and practice, we must embrace flexibility, encourage innovation, and foster interprofessional growth. The speakers have planted seeds for transformative change, and it is upon medical educationists to nurture them into reality.
Note: Prof. Ahsan Sethi and Prof. Rehan Ahmed Khan made significant contribution to this story.
