Health professions education in times of societal challenges: Acting at the agora

Abstract

Health professionals’ work environments are rapidly changing. This paper aims to describe the implications of societal challenges for the education and training of health professionals. We compare the need for multi-disciplinarity, innovation and flexibility with acting at an agora. In ancient times, an agora was a public space for trade, politics, arts, science and justice. It was open to all individuals for multidisciplinary debates and connected to education and training. Success in the agora demands professionals’ development of adaptive expertise. Adaptive experts are efficient and innovative in meeting (new) societal challenges. Adaptive expertise can only be developed in a joint approach by both the professional and the organization. Agency is needed from both sides and inclusive and innovative learning and work environments are highly important prerequisites. The article illustrates this point with examples from the University Medical Center in Utrecht, where we foster such an environment by means of The New Utrecht School.