Harmony in Diversity Through Collaboration in Health Professions Education - APMEC 2026 Symposium No 16, Saturday, 24 January 2026

https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/cenmed/sites/apmec2026/programs.html#mainConf2

Harmony in Diversity Through Collaboration in Health Professions Education

Global Perspectives: Diversity and Inclusion in Health Professions Education

Goh Poh Sun, Singapore

Building Bridges: Interprofessional Collaboration in Health Professions Education

Ardi Findyartini, Indonesia

Accreditation as a Catalyst for Diversity and Collaboration in Medical Education

Elisabeth Schlegel, Bahamas

CopilotThat’s a great topic! “Global Perspectives: Diversity and Inclusion in Health Professions Education” is highly relevant today as healthcare systems worldwide aim to prepare professionals who can deliver equitable care in increasingly diverse societies.

Here are some key angles you might explore:

1. Why Diversity and Inclusion Matter in Health Professions Education

Improved Patient Outcomes: Diverse teams better understand cultural nuances, leading to more patient-centered care.

Reducing Health Disparities: Inclusive education helps future professionals address systemic inequities.

Global Mobility: Health professionals often work across borders; cultural competence is essential.

2. Global Perspectives

North America & Europe: Strong emphasis on cultural competence and anti-bias training.

Asia-Pacific: Growing focus on multilingual education and addressing rural-urban disparities.

Africa & Latin America: Challenges include resource constraints and integrating indigenous health practices.

3. Strategies for Inclusion

Curriculum Design: Embedding cultural humility, social determinants of health, and equity principles.

Faculty Development: Training educators to model inclusive behaviors.

Student Recruitment: Policies to increase representation from underrepresented groups.

4. Challenges

Resistance to change in traditional curricula.

Limited resources in low-income regions.

Balancing global standards with local cultural contexts.

5. Future Directions

Use of AI and VR for immersive cultural competence training.

Global collaborations for shared best practices.

Accreditation standards incorporating diversity metrics.

Would you like me to draft a structured outline for a presentation or article on this topic? Or perhaps create a summary with key references from recent research and global guidelines?

Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: This presentation will compare approaches to diversity and inclusion in health professions education worldwide. It will include discussions on mentorship and support systems, policy and advocacy, community engagement, the use of technology, and implementing global strategies locally.Copilot said: CopilotGreat, that’s a clear and comprehensive scope! Here’s how we can structure your presentation to cover those elements effectively:

Proposed Structure for Your Presentation

Title

Global Perspectives: Diversity and Inclusion in Health Professions Education

1. Introduction

Why diversity and inclusion matter globally in health professions education.

Brief overview of disparities and cultural competence needs.

2. Comparative Approaches Worldwide

North America & Europe: Emphasis on anti-bias training, policy frameworks.

Asia-Pacific: Focus on multilingual education and rural access.

Africa & Latin America: Integration of indigenous practices and resource challenges.

3. Mentorship and Support Systems

Examples of structured mentorship programs for underrepresented students.

Peer support networks and faculty development initiatives.

4. Policy and Advocacy

Global policies (WHO, WFME) promoting equity.

National-level strategies and accreditation standards.

5. Community Engagement

Service-learning models.

Partnerships with local communities to address social determinants of health.

6. Use of Technology

AI and VR for cultural competence training.

Telehealth and digital platforms for inclusive education.

7. Implementing Global Strategies Locally

Adapting international best practices to local cultural and resource contexts.

Case studies from different regions.

8. Challenges and Future Directions

Barriers to implementation.

Opportunities for global collaboration and innovation.

9. Conclusion

Key takeaways and call to action for educators and policymakers.

Would you like me to create a detailed slide deck outline with suggested visuals and talking points for each section, or draft a full narrative script for your presentation?

I can also compile recent global research and policy references to strengthen your content. Which option would you prefer?

Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: The symposium titled "Harmony in Diversity Through Collaboration in Health Professions Education" emphasizes the significance of diversity and collaboration in health professions education. It explores strategies to enhance interprofessional collaboration, promote global perspectives on diversity, and understand accreditation and institutional perspectives. Part 1: Interprofessional Collaboration This section discusses fostering collaboration among different health professions to improve patient care and educational outcomes. Key topics include cultural competence, inclusive curriculum design, addressing implicit biases, and best practices in interprofessional education (IPE). Part 2: Global Perspectives on Diversity The focus shifts to comparing approaches to diversity and inclusion in health professions education globally. Subtopics include mentorship and support systems, policy and advocacy, community engagement, use of technology, and implementing global strategies locally. Part 3: Accreditation and Institutional Perspectives This part highlights the role of accreditation in promoting diversity and collaboration. It covers LCME and CAAM-HP accreditation standards, faculty development, institutional research efforts, case studies from the 2025 APMEC meeting, and leveraging accreditation for institutional change. Part 4: Asian-Pacific Perspectives A panel discussion provides insights from the Asian-Pacific region, discussing regional challenges and opportunities, successful models, integrating global and regional perspectives, and adapting global best practices to the Asian-Pacific context. Closing The symposium concludes with a summary and key takeaways, emphasizing future directions and the importance of continued collaboration. Closing remarks encourage ongoing dialogue and shared learning.Copilot said: CopilotThank you for sharing the full symposium structure—it’s very well thought out and comprehensive! Here’s how we can turn this into a clear, engaging presentation framework:

✅ Symposium Structure with Suggested Enhancements

Opening

Theme: Harmony in Diversity Through Collaboration in Health Professions Education

Brief framing: Why diversity and collaboration are critical for global health education.

Part 1: Interprofessional Collaboration

Goal: Show how collaboration among health professions improves care and education.

Key Topics:

Cultural competence in team-based care.

Inclusive curriculum design for IPE.

Addressing implicit bias in interprofessional settings.

Best practices and case examples of successful IPE programs.

Visual Ideas:

Diagram of interprofessional team roles.

Infographic on benefits of IPE for patient outcomes.

Part 2: Global Perspectives on Diversity

Goal: Compare global approaches and strategies.

Subtopics:

Mentorship and support systems for underrepresented groups.

Policy and advocacy frameworks (WHO, WFME).

Community engagement models.

Technology in promoting inclusion (AI, VR, telehealth).

Adapting global strategies locally—case studies.

Visual Ideas:

World map highlighting regional initiatives.

Table comparing diversity strategies across continents.

Part 3: Accreditation and Institutional Perspectives

Goal: Show how accreditation drives diversity and collaboration.

Coverage:

LCME and CAAM-HP standards.

Faculty development and institutional research.

Case studies from APMEC 2025.

Leveraging accreditation for systemic change.

Visual Ideas:

Flowchart linking accreditation standards to institutional outcomes.

Snapshot of diversity metrics in accreditation rubrics.

Part 4: Asian-Pacific Perspectives

Goal: Regional insights and adaptation of global best practices.

Discussion Points:

Regional challenges and opportunities.

Successful models in Asia-Pacific.

Integrating global and local perspectives.

Visual Ideas:

Panel discussion highlights.

Regional success stories infographic.

Closing

Summary of key takeaways.

Future directions: global collaboration, technology, policy.

Call to action for continued dialogue and shared learning.

✅ Next Steps

Would you like me to:

Create a detailed slide deck outline with suggested visuals and talking points for each section?

Draft a full narrative script for the symposium presentation?

Compile recent global research, policy references, and case studies to strengthen your content?

Or all three combined into a comprehensive presentation package?

Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: Please plan symposium including key messages and referencesCopilot said: CopilotHere’s a comprehensive symposium plan for Harmony in Diversity Through Collaboration in Health Professions Education, including key messages for each part and recent references from global literature and APMEC-related sources.

✅ Symposium Plan

Theme

Harmony in Diversity Through Collaboration in Health Professions Education

Opening

Key Message:

Diversity and collaboration are essential for preparing health professionals to deliver equitable, culturally competent care in a globalized world.

Part 1: Interprofessional Collaboration

Focus: Fostering collaboration among health professions to improve patient care and educational outcomes.

Key Messages:

Interprofessional Education (IPE) builds teamwork, communication, and shared decision-making skills.

Cultural competence and inclusive curriculum design are critical for effective collaboration.

Addressing implicit bias enhances team dynamics and patient safety.

References:

Patel H et al. A scoping review of interprofessional education in healthcare: evaluating competency development, educational outcomes and challenges. BMC Med Educ, 2025. [bmcmededuc...entral.com]

Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC). Core Competencies for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice: Version 3. 2023. [ipecollaborative.org]

Meyer MRU et al. Fostering Collaborative Practice Through Interprofessional Education. Fam Med, 2025. [journals.stfm.org]

Part 2: Global Perspectives on Diversity

Focus: Comparing approaches to diversity and inclusion worldwide.

Key Messages:

Mentorship and support systems are evolving from dyadic models to networks and communities of practice.

Policy and advocacy frameworks (WHO, WFME) drive equity in education.

Technology (AI, VR, telehealth) can enhance cultural competence and access.

Global strategies must be adapted to local contexts for sustainability.

References:

Ramani S et al. Mentorship in health professions education – AMEE Guide No. 167. Med Teacher, 2023. [helda.helsinki.fi]

Edgar AK et al. Inclusivity in health professional education: how can virtual simulation foster attitudes of inclusion? Adv Simul, 2024. [advancesin...entral.com]

Walker ER et al. Strategies to Promote Inclusive Learning Environments in Health Professions Education. J Intersections, 2025. [jintersections.org]

OECD. Digital equity and inclusion in education: An overview of practice and policy. 2023. [one.oecd.org]

Part 3: Accreditation and Institutional Perspectives

Focus: Role of accreditation in promoting diversity and collaboration.

Key Messages:

LCME and CAAM-HP standards emphasize diversity in admissions and learning environments.

Accreditation can be leveraged for institutional change and faculty development.

Institutional research and case studies (APMEC 2025) show how accreditation drives innovation.

References:

LCME. Functions and Structure of a Medical School – Standards. 2025. [lcme.org]

CAAM-HP. Standards for the Accreditation of Medical Schools in the Caribbean Community. 2017. [mymedschool.org]

Nguyen M et al. Medical School Faculty Diversity and LCME’s Diversity Standards. JAMA Netw Open, 2025. [jamanetwork.com]

Part 4: Asian-Pacific Perspectives

Focus: Regional challenges and opportunities, integrating global and local strategies.

Key Messages:

Cultural norms (hierarchical, collectivist) influence teamwork and feedback.

Successful models in Asia-Pacific emphasize community engagement and culturally sensitive pedagogy.

Adaptation of global best practices requires contextualization.

References:

Claramita M et al. Challenges and Opportunities in Health Professions Education: Perspectives in the Context of Cultural Diversity. Springer, 2022. [link.springer.com]

APMEC 2026 Theme: Harmony in Diversity Through Collaboration. NUS CenMED. [medicine.nus.edu.sg]

APMEC 2025 case studies on mentorship and collaboration. [linkedin.com]

Closing

Key Messages:

Diversity and collaboration are not optional—they are foundational for quality health education.

Future directions: global partnerships, technology-enabled inclusion, and accreditation-driven change.

Call to action: continued dialogue and shared learning across borders.

✅ Next Steps

I can now:

Draft a full slide deck outline with visuals and talking points for each section.

Prepare a narrative script for moderators and speakers.

Compile a reference list in APA format for your symposium handout.

Would you like all three combined into a comprehensive presentation package, or start with the slide deck outline first?

SourcesProvide your feedback on BizChatDraft the slide deck outlineCreate a narrative scriptCompile references in APA formatDrop your files hereMessage CopilotFilesFilesAI-generated content may be incorrect