Sustainability of innovations in health professions education

Abstract

The history of health professions education is replete with innovations in curriculum, teaching and learning, and assessment. Some of these changes have stood the test of time, while others have faded away. Knowledge of the triggering factors that led to the rise and fall of these innovations is helpful when planning future educational innovations, as educators can evade the common pitfalls of unsustainable innovations. This chapter analyses the reasons behind the sustainability of major educational innovations and the demise of the others. In conclusion, the chapter draws on the past sustainability trends to elucidate the features that indicate the long-term viability of innovations in health professions education. Based on the trends in innovations observed throughout history, the chapter attempts to predict what the future holds. Toward this end, the role of technology is featured as a way out, given the possible future restrictions of social contact posed by situations such as the present pandemic.