Future Challenges in Medical Education System in COVID-19 Pandemic: Scenario Planning

Abstract

Background: With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, all the aspects of educational institutions such as universities have been affected. Trainings have changed from face-to-face and physical to online and digital. Therefor an educational reform has been recognized as a priority toward adaptation of universities with the current situation and transition to third-generation universities in order to synchronize with global trends. This study evaluated the preparedness of universities to manage the outbreak and moving toward a new generation, using the scenario planning approach. Methods: A mixed method design was used including three phases: 1) Identifying the variables affecting the future of medical education, 2) Prediction and building scenarios (future estimates), 3) Building the future (scenario-making).Results: The COVID-19 pandemic represents an enduring transformation in education with the advancement of smart universities, telehealth, adaptive research protocols, personalized and self-controlled learning and flexible approaches to achieve solutions. Conclusions: It is Inevitable that in this situation, the future of this path, must be clarified and a joint vision (scenarios) must be created. It is suggested that educational and environmental key factors should be constantly monitored to keep up with the process of managing the situation, globalization and the expansion of entrepreneurial universities.