Media Release
Ajman, Dec 16: “Study programs in Faculties of Medicine should be designed with the collaboration of professionals of the Healthcare System, and be oriented to provide an integral vision of the patient” says Prof Francesc Cardellach López, Professor of Medicine and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona and Director of the Mitochondrial Research Laboratory at the August Pi I Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS).
He was addressing the students of GMU while delivering a lecture on “The progressive responsibility of the personnel undergoing medical education: from undergraduate studies to medical specialty”. Gulf Medical University, Ajman hosted Prof Francesc Cardellach López, who delivered an inspirational lecture as part of Heroes of Healthcare Lecture Series on Sunday December 15.
The best profile of the future medical professional should be based according to the needs of the community ‐that is, the resolution of problems in the area of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases focused on a teamwork context, integral vision of the patient, respect of the ethnic particularities and strict observance of the ethical fundamentals, as well as the observance of the high values of professionalism, said Prof Francesc Cardellach López.
In the last century, the professional profile of medical doctors has evolved from a general conception to a more specialized (and superspecialized) profile. However, the concept of efficiency and the benefits of an integrated medical assistance, when talking about the best medical profile, cannot be forgotten, and this statement has to be reflected in undergraduate medical education. The study programs should be designed according to this general vision. Consequently, we must establish the objectives (learning outcomes) of progressive medical education and acquisition of responsibilities throughout all the undergraduate medical studies stages. At the same time, we need to be aware that these responsibilities should be acquired soon after the postgraduate stage, and also throughout lifelong continuing medical education.
Prof Francesc Cardellach López felt that several factors have a negative influence in the development of undergraduate studies programs (either integrated or classic method) ‐for instance, strong corporative misconduct, disproportionate development of some departments and areas of knowledge, the pressure of professional medical societies over the academic authorities, and, in some countries, the Residency Training Programs. The identification and early correction of these negative factors, the establishment of Advisory Boards, and the establishment of a continuum between pre-graduate and postgraduate studies should improve the quality of Graduates’ medical education.
Studies programs in Faculties of Medicine should be designed with the collaboration of professionals of the Healthcare System, and be oriented to provide an integral vision of the patient.
In postgraduate medical studies, Masters and Doctorate should be the result of a close collaboration among Universities, Hospitals, and Research Institutes. And the Continuing Medical Education should include also Industry, Professional Societies, as well as Professional Colleges, among others. Generally, Universities should be open to the Society and its different institutions.
The lecture was attended by over 200 participants including Prof Gita Ashok Raj, Provost of GMU, University Deans and Deans of constituent colleges, faculty and students of GMU. Mr. Akbar Moideen Thumbay, Director Healthcare Operations of Thumbay Group, Medical Director and administrators from GMC Hospitals also attended the lecture.
Prof Gita Ashok Raj, Provost GMUhonored Prof Francesc Cardellach López with the “Heroes of Healthcare memento and a Certificate of Achievement”.
Prof Francesc Cardellach Lópezwas briefed about the university activities and taken on a tour of the campus. He was highly impressed with the newly established Center for Biomedical research & Innovation and Center for Advanced Simulation in Healthcare at GMU.
He had extensive meetings with the Provost and academic leaders of constituent colleges of GMU. They have discussed possible bilateral academic collaboration between two institutions in the years to come. University of Barcelona is offering summer training program to medical students.
About Prof Francesc Cardellach López
Francesc Cardellach was born in 1951 in Terrassa (Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain).
Academic activity: Graduated in Medicine and Surgery at the Faculty of Medicine (University of Barcelona) in 1975 and obtained an M.D. in 1979. Since then, all his Academic activity has developed in the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Barcelona, and at present he is Full Professor of Internal Medicine.
Research activity: Director of the Laboratory of Mitochondrial Function of the Muscular Research Group of Institute of Biomedical Research “August Pi i Sunyer” (IDIBAPS). His research lines are the study of mitochondrial function in neurodegerative diseases, HIV infection and Carbon monoxide toxicity, as well as in primary mitochondrial diseases.
Principal investigator or co-investigator of 18 competitive research projects - Director of 5 Doctoral Theses - He has published 240 papers (total IF: 435) and 18 book chapters - “Visiting Professor” - Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia, USA, 1987) as postdoctoral position - Member or President of different Spanish and Catalan Research Commissions - Academic positions: Vice dean (2002-2008) and Dean (since 2008) of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Barcelona - Editorial positions: General Secretary of the “Medicina Clínica (Barcelona)” scientific journal and Sub director of the Textbook of Internal Medicine “Farreras-Rozman” - Awards and acknowledgments: Recipient of the award for the “Professional Excellence (Hospital Medicine)” by the Council of Medical Colleges of Catalonia and the “Jaume Vicens Vives” award for the “Improvement of Graduate and Postgraduate Clinical Teaching” Project - Full Member of the Royal Academy of Medicine of Catalonia.