Dear Editor,

Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE), the European regional association of the World Federation for Medical Education and one of the six members of its Executive Council, was founded in Copenhagen in 1972 to facilitate communication and synergy among medical educators in European countries. Each year, AMEE organizes international conferences on various topics in the medical education in a different European country. This year, an international conference was held in Basel, Switzerland. Thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, and in particular, Smart University of Medical Sciences, the online broadcast of this international conference took place from 5 to 8 September 2023, in approximately 15 medical universities across the country, with access to a part of program. In this article, we discussed important educational points based on our experience with this event (1).

AMEE 2024 conference, held in Basel, Switzerland, served as a pivotal event in the field of medical education. The conference, which focused on the professional development of health professionals and the sharing of information among specialists, offered a forum for discussions of the most recent technology and advances in medical education. The conference theme, 'Innovation, Growth and Reimagining Health Professions Education for a Sustainable Future', emphasized the importance of innovation and growth, and the need to reassess and update medical education to meet future challenges and create a sustainable system (2-5). The conference featured a wide range of panels, workshops and keynote speeches that addressed critical issues in the health professions education. Additionally, it offered the chance to exhibit the most recent technologies and accomplishments of esteemed institutions, including hospitals and universities, and to encourage the exchange of ideas and experiences. Other significant aspects highlighted at the conference included the roles of mentorship and student support, learning psychology approaches, using high-level assignments for learners, reliance on team-based assignments, motivating learners, the use of
workplace-based assessments, attention to individual learner differences and personalized learning, and using the educational handouts.

Key conference components included:

1. Plenary sessions
   • Ronald Harden and Jim Campbell from the World Health Organization (WHO) discussed issues related to health workforce education and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
   • Professor Liz Grant from the University of Edinburgh delivered a keynote address on the climate crisis and its effect on health professions education.
   • Jamila Boussari from Maastricht University explored the concept of social justice in health professions education through an Aristotelian lens.

2. Workshops and Masterclasses: A variety of
   pre-conference workshops and masterclasses focused on topics, such as educational technology, professional skills development, and using artificial intelligence
   in education.
3. Networking and Mentoring Sessions: The conference provided ample opportunity for networking and mentoring sessions.
4. Research and presentations: The conference featured research papers, doctoral reports, and electronic posters that facilitated academic discussion and knowledge exchange in the field of health professions education.

Key Highlights and Takeaways from the AMEE 2024 Conference:

1. Focus on Innovative Educational Technologies: The conference highlighted using virtual simulations and interactive learning tools as modern teaching methods that significantly improve medical education.
2. Importance of International Learning: Emphasis was placed on international collaborations, and knowledge exchange among different educational institutions to elevate global educational standards.
3. Developing Medical Education to Meet Future Needs: Educational programs are being designed to prepare medical students and professionals for future challenges.
4. Interdisciplinary Approach to Education: The importance of interdisciplinary education and collaboration among different medical and scientific disciplines was emphasized to achieve more comprehensive approaches to treatment and medical care.
5. Curriculum Transformation and Review: There were extensive discussions on reforming and updating curricula to meet current and future needs. The importance of reviewing medical curricula, and using common models for needs assessment and curriculum review was highlighted by the experts. Competency-based education, which emphasizes the skills and abilities that learners should possess upon completion of the educational program, was introduced as a novel and effective method of medical education.
6. Emphasis on Ethics and Social Responsibility: Ethical education and attention to social responsibility among medical professionals were significant topics at the conference.
7. Use of Data and Artificial Intelligence in Education: The applications of data mining and artificial intelligence to improve teaching methods, clinical reasoning, and designing curricula to prepare students for a future with generative Artificial Intelligence were discussed.
8. Focus on Lifelong Learning: Programs, such as online courses, workshops, seminars, and the formation of specialized associations were suggested to encourage lifelong learning among medical professionals to keep them up-to-date.
9. Role of Blended Learning: The combination of face-to-face and online education was presented as an effective method to expand access to medical education.
10. Innovation in Student Assessment: New assessment methods that measure not only knowledge but also students' skills and attitudes were introduced. Workplace-based evaluations were also emphasized as critical tools for assessing the performance of students and trainees in real-world clinical settings. One prominent example of these assessments was multi-source feedback from colleagues and supervisors, which helps improve students' clinical and professional skills continuously. This approach is particularly vital for ensuring the practical and professional readiness of medical students in real-world clinical settings.
11. Networking: Networking was identified as a key factor in professional development in the medical education. One of the main focuses of the conference was to facilitate international connections and collaborations, which can improve the quality of education and research in medicine. Networking was identified as a means of promoting information sharing, inspiration, and innovation in medical education, particularly in areas requiring multidisciplinary methods and worldwide cooperation. The conference also emphasized the creation of social networks to empower and grow faculty members.
12. Connection between Climate Change and Global Health in Medical Education: A key focus of the conference was the examination of climate change's effects on global health and its significance in medical education. This highlighted the importance of educating physicians and other health professionals about the challenges associated with climate change. Professor Liz Grant from the University of Edinburgh emphasized that the effects of climate change directly impact global health, and require urgent and coordinated international action. Education in this area can better prepare physicians to face these crises and reduce their negative impacts on health.

Conclusion

Implementing these strategies can help Iranian medical schools raise educational standards and meet the evolving demands of contemporary healthcare.