APMEC 2025: Shaping the future of healthcare education for a sustainable and holistic approach

Published: 31 Jan 2025

From left: Prof Yang Wei (Executive Vice-Dean, International School of Medicine, Zhejiang University); A/Prof Koh Dow Rhoon (Director, International Relations, NUS Medicine); Prof Chen Weiying (Vice-Dean, International School of Medicine, Zhejiang University); Prof Chong Yap Seng (Dean, NUS Medicine); Prof Huang Hefeng (Dean, International School of Medicine, Zhejiang University); Prof Kenneth Mak (Director-General of Health, Ministry of Health); Prof Benjamin Ong (Department of Medicine, NUS Medicine); Dr Dujeepa D Samarasekera (Chairman, Organising Committee APMEC 2025); Prof Yang Faridah Abdul Aziz (Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya); A/Prof Marion Aw (Vice-Dean, Office for Students, NUS Medicine); Prof Yeoh Khay Guan (Chief Executive, National University Health System); and Adj Prof Lau Tang Ching (Vice-Dean, Education, NUS Medicine)

The 22nd Asia Pacific Medical Education Conference (APMEC 2025), themed “Developing a Holistic Healthcare Practitioner for a Sustainable Future – Trends ● Issues ● Priorities ● Strategies”, successfully took place from 13 to 18 January 2025. Organised by the Centre for Medical Education (CenMED) at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine), the event gathered healthcare professionals, educators, and thought leaders from around the world to explore the future of healthcare education and the transformation needed to ensure sustainable, patient-centered practices.

APMEC 2025 focused on a forward-looking vision for healthcare, emphasising the integration of physical, mental, and social well-being as central to creating a sustainable healthcare system. The conference aimed to build a more resilient healthcare framework that goes beyond addressing immediate health concerns, recognising the interconnected nature of health issues and the ecological and social impacts of healthcare practices.

Dr Dujeepa D. Samarasekera, Chairman, Organising Committee APMEC 2025, with the lion dance team at the opening ceremony of the conference

Dr Dujeepa D. Samarasekera, Chairman, Organising Committee APMEC 2025, and Senior Director, CenMED, NUS Medicine, said, “At APMEC 2025, we come together with a shared purpose: to advance the education of healthcare professionals who are not only equipped with medical expertise but also with the holistic mindset needed to address the complex health challenges of our time. Through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to sustainability, we can shape a future where healthcare practitioners are fully prepared to create a healthier, more resilient world.”

Dr Dujeepa delivered his address at the opening ceremony of APMEC 2025

The conference’s opening ceremony was graced by Guest-of-Honour, Prof Kenneth Mak, Director-General of Health at the Ministry of Health (MOH). Throughout the week, the conference offered an array of discussions, panel sessions, and workshops, all focusing on sustainable health strategies and the critical role of healthcare education in shaping the next generation of practitioners. Key topics covered included sustainable healthcare practices, the integration of physical, mental, and social well-being into medical education, and innovative teaching strategies to promote holistic care.

The opening keynote address was delivered by Prof Yang Faridah Abdul Aziz, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia, who discussed the topic, “Transformation of Sustainable Futuristic Healthcare Practitioners: Is It Feasible in Low-Resource Settings?”. She shared that the futuristic healthcare professional embodies a commitment to ecological balance, social justice and equity, and long-term viability—and key elements of this shift include eco-health literacy, circular healthcare models, climate-resilient care, community engagement, as well as personal wellness and planetary health. In a low-resource setting however, these key elements are difficult to achieve due to existing challenges pertaining to limited financial resources, inadequate infrastructure, lack of access to technology, knowledge and training gaps, and cultural and social barriers. Acknowledging the disparity between the available resources and the ideal achievement of sustainable practise, allows for creative solutions to the problems. Ultimately, the sustainable transformation of healthcare practitioners goes beyond individual practices, shaping a resilient, compassionate, and earth-conscious future.

Prof Yang Faridah Abdul Aziz, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia, delivered the opening keynote address at APMEC 2025

APMEC 2025 attracted around 1,000 to 1,200 participants, including leaders from healthcare centers, medical and nursing schools, and academic institutions. With a lineup of 140 distinguished speakers, APMEC 2025 provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities within healthcare education. The conference spanned from undergraduate to graduate medical education, with presentations that covered evidence-based practices and educational innovations aimed at fostering healthcare professionals who are not only clinically proficient but also attuned to the broader determinants of health. As the largest medical conference for educators in the Asia-Pacific region, APMEC continues to serve as a key platform for sharing knowledge and best practices in healthcare education.

During the Opening Ceremony, the Mentoring Innovation and Leadership in Educational Scholarship (MILES) Award was presented to four scholars of distinction in medical and health professions education. They are Adjunct A/Prof Mabel Yap, Director of Professional Training and Assessment Standards Division, MOH; Prof Liaw Sok Ying, Head, Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, NUS Medicine; A/Prof Marcus A. Henning, Postgraduate Academic Advisor, Centre for Medical and Health Sciences Education, The University of Auckland, New Zealand; and Adjunct Prof Lau Tang Ching, Vice-Dean (Education), NUS Medicine.

The following emerged as top performers in the respective Free Communication sessions:

Best Oral Presenter (Runner-Up) – Session on Sustainability in Health Professions Education

Assessing Medical Students’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Environmental Sustainability and its Impact on Human Health: A Cross-Sectional Survey (Sreenidhi Prakash, India)

Best Oral Presenter (Winner) – Session on Sustainability in Health Professions Education

Indonesian Freshly Graduated Medical Doctors’ Intention to Practice in Rural Areas of Indonesia (Azis Muhammad Putera, Indonesia)

Best Oral Presenter Young Scholar (Runner-Up)

Digital Health Competencies for Medical Education (DECODE): Consensus Statement Based on a Delphi Study (Qi Chwen Ong, Singapore)

Best Oral Presenter Young Scholar (Winner)

Students as Co-Designers in Curriculum and Pedagogy Co-Creation: A Multi-Perspective Analysis (Mei Li Khong, Hong Kong S.A.R.)

Best Oral Presenter Scholar (Runner-Up)

Exploring the Effects of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chatbot on Learning and Motivation Among Pharmacy Students (Lik Wei Wong, Singapore)

Best Oral Presenter Scholar (Winner)

Exploring the Journey of Postgraduate Medical Rotations – Learning to Practice: A Longitudinal Qualitative Analysis Using Activity Theory (Chunghsien Chaou, Taiwan)

APMEC 2025 concluded with a short video trailer which introduced the next APMEC, to be held in Yiwu, People’s Republic of China, with the International School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, from 21 to 25 January 2026. The theme for APMEC 2026 will be “Harmony in Diversity Through Collaboration in Health Professions Education – Trends.Issues.Priorities.Strategies”.