Critical thinking crucial for medical education – Professor Awuku

Medical education must shift from rote memorization to cultivating critical thinking and the ability to apply knowledge, according to Professor Yaw Asante Awuku, Dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS).

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It must assess not only what students know but how they apply knowledge and relate to patients.

Professor Awuku emphasized that future doctors need to be trained not only on what they know but how they apply that knowledge and interact with patients. He advocated for medical programs to embrace simulation and case-based learning, preparing graduates for collaborative, technology-assisted, and compassionate healthcare delivery. "The future lies in integrating clinical wisdom with academic framework, local insights with global knowledge, and integrating science with empathy," he stated during his inaugural lecture.

He described the role of a clinical scholar as a crucial hybrid capable of translating complex scientific information into compassionate patient care. These scholars act as bridges between practical clinical issues and academic problem-solving, influencing both students and the broader ethos of medical education. Professor Awuku urged students to approach their learning with urgency, care, and humility.

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The future lies in integration clinical wisdom with academic framework, local insights with global knowledge, and integrating science with empathy.

Policy makers were called upon to base their decisions on frontline realities, while the public was encouraged to support healthcare systems that prioritize both competence and compassion. Professor Awuku expressed his hope that universities would nurture clinical scholars through dedicated professorship pathways, ensuring the continued advancement of medical education and practice.

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May the universities nurture clinical-scholars through the clinical professorship pathway.