Books
Jahangir K. Lifelong Learning By Design. Toronto, Canada: Health Architects Publishing, 2020. 1st Edition
* Note: 2nd Edition Coming Soon!
Book available on Amazon and other online bookstores as well.
Innovations and Development in Teaching and Education (most recent)
COVID Connect app: A Tool of Epistemic Justice in Healthcare and Academic Medicine
As a trailblazing technologist in the healthcare sector, I founded COVID Connect to revolutionize medical education by addressing the oft-overlooked aspects of effective communication and ethics. Infused with real-world scenarios, our beta-phase platform aims to transform healthcare training by emphasizing interpersonal skills, ethical considerations, and hands-on telehealth experiences. This avant-garde venture stands on the cusp of redefining educational paradigms, marrying clinical proficiency with ethical and efficient communication in a modern healthcare ecosystem.
Redefining Healing: The Global Resonance of the Covid-19 Connection Aid Revolution
Emerging from the crucible of a pandemic that isolated patients from caregivers, my revolutionary Covid-19 Connection Aid has become an epoch-defining innovation in over 50 countries, embraced by giants like Mayo Clinic and NHS. More than just a tool, it's a global movement that underscores the confluence of empathy, adaptability, and clinical expertise in healthcare. This magnum opus transcends the immediate crisis, serving as an indelible blueprint for a new generation of medical professionals, illuminating the limitless possibilities when human connection meets medical innovation.
Safe Space Health app: Pioneering a Digital Sanctuary for Healthcare Resilience
Amidst an epoch where burnout and emotional toll besiege healthcare professionals, my digital sanctuary, Safe Space Health, emerges as a revolutionary oasis of solace and empowerment. Far more than an app, it reimagines the very architecture of support, deploying specially-trained facilitators to foster a growth mindset and constructive dialogue among medical practitioners. In crafting this groundbreaking haven, we've not just addressed an urgent need; we've etched a legacy that urges society to recognize the vulnerable human behind the white coat, promising transformative impact that ripples from the individual to the very soul of global healthcare.
Pioneering a New Paradigm: The Online Moderators Course Curriculum for Safe Space Health
In a healthcare landscape teeming with digital platforms, my groundbreaking Online Moderators Course Curriculum for the Safe Space Health app stands as a monumental leap in professionalization and care. This pedagogical tour de force, an amalgam of disciplines from behavioural psychology to emotional intelligence, empowers moderators to be more than mere digital custodians; they become transformational agents of psychological safety, inclusivity, and nuanced patient care. As an ever-evolving, agile educational model, the curriculum not only fills a glaring gap but sets an unprecedented global standard, promising to redefine the very sinews of healthcare's burgeoning digital frontier.
Harmonizing Healthcare: The Genesis of the World's First Health Design Studio
In 2015, Canada became the crucible for groundbreaking alchemy in healthcare with the launch of the world's first Health Design Studio within a healthcare institution. This audacious venture redefined global healthcare paradigms by marrying patient-centred care with interdisciplinary expertise, spanning fields from medicine to anthropology. Far more than a mere innovation, the Health Design Studio serves as a luminary for collective well-being, shattering healthcare silos and embracing a holistic, design-driven future that is co-crafted 'with' individuals, making it a global benchmark for integrative, empathetic care.
Trailblazing Change: The Inception of Canada's First Health Behavioural Insights Team
In 2015, I spearheaded the creation of Canada's first Health Behavioural Insights Team, a groundbreaking initiative that melded behavioural sciences with healthcare to bridge a critical disconnect between medical guidelines and patient behaviour. This revolutionary endeavour has since become a global touchstone, not only significantly elevating patient compliance and public health campaigns but also setting new precedents for holistic, behaviour-informed healthcare worldwide. Through this audacious fusion, we've ignited a seismic shift in healthcare, transforming theory into tangible, life-altering practices that have redefined the boundaries of medical intervention.
Revolutionizing Medical Education: The Precision Initiatives Paradigm
In 2015, I launched Precision Initiatives, Canada's first program revolutionizing medical education through hyper-personalized learning and multi-faceted assessments. A symphony of cutting-edge adaptive technologies and behavioural insights, this groundbreaking program transcends traditional academic boundaries, melding quality improvement (QI) projects with individualized curricula. Employing a digitally-fueled "Precision Storyboard," we not only track real-time learning journeys but also empower learners and educators to evolve together. This initiative is not merely a pedagogical strategy; it's a seismic shift—transforming learners into healthcare pioneers who perpetually elevate both their expertise and the broader healthcare landscape.
Pioneering Precision Leadership Initiatives: A New Paradigm in Medical Leadership Education
In response to a clarion call from the Associate Health Minister of Alberta and a palpable need for evolved medical leadership, I spearheaded the Precision Leadership Initiatives (PLI)—a quantum leap in the realm of medical leadership training that's not just Canadian but globally transformative. Inspired by the ethos of its academic predecessor, Precision Initiatives, and enriched by the Lifelong Learning by Design framework, PLI transmutes the idea of precision medicine into precision leadership. This trailblazing initiative replaces the obsolete one-size-fits-all model with leadership education that's as dynamic and bespoke as DNA, sculpting leaders who are empathetic visionaries, equipped to catalyze monumental changes in healthcare institutions and policies. PLI isn't merely a program; it's a leadership renaissance, converging vision, innovation, and grit to chart a future where medical leadership resonates with precision, purpose, and transformative impact.
Revolutionizing Medical Education: Digitizing Patient Decision Aids with Mayo Clinic
In an epoch-making collaboration as the associate dean of lifelong learning, I orchestrated an unprecedented alliance between our department and Mayo Clinic's globally respected Knowledge, Evaluation and Research (KER) unit, breaching the walls of institutional solitude for the first time in its history. Our joint crusade centred on the digitization of patient decision aids, transforming these crucial tools into interactive, accessible platforms that redefine informed consent and patient engagement. By weaving these digital aids into medical education, we not only elevated the curriculum but also sculpted a new generation of healthcare professionals—ones who embody empathy, embrace collaboration, and empower patients as active participants in their care journey. More than a mere innovation, this partnership heralded a seismic shift towards a future where medical education is a symphony of patient empowerment, digital innovation, and evidence-based practice.
Redefining Boundaries: A Revolutionary Leap in Global Medical Accreditation
In an audacious fusion of academic brilliance and technological ingenuity, I, serving as the Associate Dean of Lifelong Learning at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, orchestrated an unprecedented partnership with the CPD Office at the University of Toronto. This historic collaboration birthed the world's first joint accreditation program in Continuous Professional Development (CPD), shattering traditional silos and setting a global precedent for interdisciplinary excellence. The linchpin? An AI-powered platform I personally designed, which not only bridged the geographical chasm between the two esteemed institutions but also revolutionized the intricacies of the accreditation process. By automating workflows and preempting bottlenecks, this digital marvel didn't just optimize efficiency—it redefined it. This groundbreaking initiative wasn't merely a milestone in the annals of medical education; it was a clarion call to the limitless possibilities that emerge when vision, collaboration, and innovation coalesce.
Evolving Evaluations: The Multimodal Blueprint for Medical Mastery
In a transformative leap that transcends conventional pedagogical norms, I pioneered the integration of multimodal assessments into medical education, addressing a long-standing gap between academic rigour and personalized learning. Far from a one-dimensional evaluative process, this innovative approach employs a rich tapestry of assessment tools—spanning from written tests and clinical simulations to reflective essays and peer feedback. What unfolds is not merely a measure of a medical student's knowledge, but a nuanced portrayal of their clinical reasoning, adaptability, and even empathy. Anchored by a triad of core principles—Personalization, Lifelong Learning, and Professional Fulfillment—multimodal assessments not only celebrate the unique trajectories and learning styles of each medical student but also foster a culture of continuous growth and real-world applicability. This isn't just an upgrade in medical education; it's a seismic shift toward producing not just competent doctors, but holistic medical practitioners poised to redefine the future of healthcare.
Charting New Frontiers: The AI-driven Renaissance of Lifelong Learning in Medicine
Recognizing the disconnect between traditional educational paradigms and the evolving needs of medical learners in a technology-driven age, I spearheaded an innovative shift by leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to personalize and adapt medical education. This journey culminated in the establishment of the Office of Lifelong Learning, a hub where cutting-edge technology and educational pedagogy intersect to create a continuously adaptive, highly personalized learning experience. Through AI-powered content and adaptive assessment tools, this initiative not only rendered a scalable form of individualized mentorship but also redefined the educational landscape to be more dynamic and responsive. Far from merely being a technological marvel, the Office embodies a comprehensive ecosystem committed to fostering lifelong, holistic learning, and stands as a testament to the limitless potential unlocked when human vision is synergized with technological innovation.
Moulding the Future: Pioneering the World's First Integrated Knowledge Translation Unit in Medicine
As the Associate Dean of Lifelong Learning in 2015, I founded the world's first Integrated Knowledge Translation Unit in Medicine, transforming how medical education and practice interact. This pioneering unit served as a bridge between groundbreaking medical research and its real-world application in patient care, ensuring that medical practitioners were up-to-date with the latest, most effective strategies. Beyond its educational platform, the unit fostered numerous healthcare delivery initiatives, ranging from expert-led seminars to advanced training programs, and emphasized the importance of collaborative, cross-disciplinary dialogues within the medical community. By tightly integrating research with practice, the unit not only catalyzed immediate advancements but also laid the foundation for a future where medical education evolves in tandem with global medical breakthroughs, effectively turning medical professionals from passive recipients to active contributors in the field.
The Architecture of Transformation: Fostering Lifelong Learning By Design
The Lifelong Learning by Design framework revolutionizes medical education by seamlessly integrating it into every stage of a medical professional's career, grounded in three core principles: Modern Pedagogical Tactics, Technology-Augmented Learning, and Tailored Leadership Development. It replaces conventional approaches with contemporary, cross-disciplinary collaborative learning, reflective practice, and human-centred, individualized learning pathways. Leveraging cutting-edge technology like AI, the framework offers fluid, data-driven, and just-in-time learning experiences that are not confined to physical spaces. Moreover, it places a strong emphasis on cultivating visionary, empathetic leadership through outcome evaluation, system design, and behavioural insights, ensuring that initiatives are sustainable and context-specific. Far from being just a methodology, the Lifelong Learning by Design framework is a transformative movement, aiming to produce clinicians who are not only technically proficient but also visionary leaders and lifelong learners.
Research Statements (most recent)
Survey of Professional Fulfilment Amongst Nurses in Edmonton
The study aimed to explore the complexities of nurses' professional fulfillment and burnout in Edmonton through a comprehensive survey. The survey findings informed a keynote speech at the United Nurses Association Annual Conference and be leveraged to advocate for policy changes. The goal was to improve nurses' well-being by understanding their motivations, challenges, and the impact of burnout on their lives.
Survey of Learning, Quality Improvement & Evidence-based Practice Needs of Radiologists in Alberta
The study sought to understand the learning needs, attitudes towards evidence-based practice, and perceived gaps in quality improvement among radiologists in Alberta. Objectives include mapping out learning trajectories for these professionals, assessing their engagement with evidence-based practices, and identifying areas for quality improvement. The survey's impact has been transformative, serving as a guide for designing targeted continuing education programs and quality improvement initiatives, thus empowering Alberta's radiologists to meet both individual and collective goals for excellence in practice.
Improving Care and Outcomes of Patients with CKD Managed in Primary Care
The project aimed to develop and assess an electronic health record (EHR) based registry for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) to improve care and monitor prevalence. Objectives included understanding the challenges and facilitators for EHR adoption, initiating a pilot phase for the registry, and evaluating its impact on care quality and potential for national scalability. The ultimate goal was to enhance early detection and targeted interventions for CKD patients.
Survey of Professional Fulfilment Amongst Academic Medical Educators in the UK
The initiative sought to examine the psychological well-being of academic medical educators in the UK, with a particular focus on understanding the prevalence and causes of burnout. Objectives included conducting a comprehensive survey to identify factors affecting educators' mental health, and using these findings to inform discussions at the Academy of Medical Educators' Annual Academic Conference. The ultimate goal was to foster a supportive work environment that enhances professional fulfillment and minimizes burnout among educators, thereby ensuring the quality of medical education.
A Comprehensive Redesign of the Medical Genetics Service at the University of Alberta
At the request of the Director, we undertook a comprehensive project to redesign the medical genetics service at the University of Alberta, primarily driven by the critical issue of a 2.5-year wait time for new referrals. Our purpose was to identify and rectify bottlenecks and pain points in the existing system, utilizing data-driven approaches and stakeholder input to create more efficient processes. Through the redesign, we were able to implement innovative solutions that drastically reduced waiting times, streamlined patient flow, and improved overall service delivery, achieving a transformative impact on the medical genetics service.
A Knowledge Translation Initiative to Address the Learning Needs of Primary Care Physicians in Alberta through Best Practice Support Visits
This initiative aimed to empower primary care physicians in Alberta by bridging the gap between evidence-based knowledge and real-world clinical practice. The approach involved creating tailored learning modules, underpinned by rigorous evidence and needs assessments, that specifically address the learning needs and practice gaps among these physicians. Knowledge translators engaged with clinicians directly in their practice settings to deliver these modules, using the effective 'Best Practice Support Visits' model to foster meaningful changes in clinical practice and elevate the standard of primary care in Alberta.
A Provincial Study into the Appropriateness of Antibiotics Prescriptions in Emergency Departments for Bacteriuria
This inquiry aimed to assess the appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions for bacteriuria in Alberta's emergency departments, given the increasing concerns about antibiotic resistance. Objectives included gathering baseline data on antibiotic use for bacteriuria, advocating for evidence-based practices, and aligning with the 'Choosing Wisely Canada' initiative to combat antibiotic misuse. Outcomes focused on transparently disseminating findings to ER physicians, forming strategic collaborations with Alberta Health Services' stewardship programs, and evaluating the effectiveness of knowledge transfer and feedback mechanisms to drive evidence-based, patient-centric care in emergency departments.
Assessment of Patient Experience in Retina Clinics in Alberta
This assessment aimed to evaluate patient satisfaction with Retina Specialists in Alberta's retina clinics, aligning with a broader shift towards patient experience as a key healthcare quality metric. Objectives included conducting a comprehensive patient survey for firsthand experiences, providing Retina Specialists with anonymized comparative data for practice review, and organizing feedback sessions for constructive dialogues on patient-centric care. The initiative sought to measure the impact of implemented action plans and evolve practice standards, ultimately placing patient experience at the centre of retinal care in Alberta.
Co-designing and Analysis of a Survey on Complete Dentures for a Prosthodontist
This study aimed to examine the alignment between academic teachings on complete dentures in the field of Prosthodontics and the practical approaches used by successful private practice dentists. Objectives included crafting a collaborative survey with Prosthodontists to compare academic and real-world practices, analyzing these findings to identify areas of convergence and divergence, and using this analysis to refine the academic curriculum. The end goal was to produce a more industry-relevant academic curriculum and offer a clear roadmap for success, ensuring that graduates are proficient in both theory and real-world application.
Developing "How To" Guide for Visualizing and Presenting Data for Physician Report Cards
The study aimed to improve the effectiveness of physician report cards by incorporating principles from evidence-based visual communication design, making the data more interpretable and actionable. Objectives included conducting a survey to understand physicians' challenges with data presentation, creating a guide that combines visual design principles with data visualization techniques, and evaluating its impact. The intended outcomes were to identify and overcome barriers in data interpretation, produce a guide that turns data into insightful narratives, and ultimately create physician report cards that serve as compelling, informative tools for change.
Disseminating Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Pathway through Knowledge Translation (KT) Initiatives
The initiative aimed to optimize the dissemination and adoption of the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) pathway by leveraging Knowledge Translation (KT) strategies enhanced with design thinking. Objectives included creating an intuitive and impactful KT strategy for the CKD pathway and evaluating its real-world efficacy using meaningful metrics. The expected outcomes were enriched engagement with the CKD pathway, evidenced by impactful metrics, and an adaptive, feedback-driven approach to continually refine KT initiatives in CKD care.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Evidence-based Practice for Improvement in Quality (EPIQ) Workshops
The EPIQ workshops aim to integrate Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) into real-world clinical settings to improve the quality of patient care and clinical efficiency. The objectives included using local data for quality improvement discourse and encouraging participants to bring actionable ideas for potential improvement. The workshops are designed to provide physicians with not just theoretical knowledge but actionable quality improvement plans, aimed at transforming and elevating the standard of care.
Framework for Appropriateness in Health: Right care, Patient safety
The envisioned framework aimed to serve as a guide for healthcare professionals to ensure every medical intervention is not just clinically effective but also socially accountable and patient-centric. The objectives included defining appropriate healthcare interventions, advocating for societal accountability in medical decisions, and implementing enhanced safety protocols to prioritize patient safety. The ultimate goal was to transform healthcare delivery, ensuring that it aligns with both clinical soundness and social responsibility, thereby making "right care" a tangible reality rather than a lofty ideal.
Framework of Personalized Initiatives for Healthcare Professions
The study proposed a groundbreaking framework in healthcare education that moves away from a one-size-fits-all approach to a more personalized, competency-based curriculum tailored to each healthcare professional's unique learning needs. It involves collaborative design between educators and learners and uses technology to adapt and evolve with the learner's changing needs. The framework aims to challenge traditional academic models, placing the learner at the centre of the educational experience, while pushing institutions to adopt this new personalized learning contract that not only celebrates individual learning trajectories but also maintains high standards of competency and quality.
Health Professions Leadership Framework
The Health Professions Leadership Framework aims to cultivate transformative leaders in healthcare by offering a personalized, adaptive approach to leadership development that takes into account individual roles, settings, and challenges. This framework is built on pillars such as shared purpose, collaborative learning, appropriateness and quality, innovation, and sustainability, designed to resonate with healthcare professionals across different settings. The goal is to shape not just effective managers but visionary leaders whose actions significantly impact patient experiences, care quality, and the overall reputation of healthcare institutions.
Lifelong Learning Transformation Framework for Health Professions
The Lifelong Learning Transformation Framework aims to revolutionize healthcare education by combining innovative pedagogical methods, cutting-edge technology, and tailored leadership development to promote lifelong learning among health professionals. Built on three core pillars—Modern Pedagogical Tactics, Technology-Augmented Learning, and Tailored Leadership Development—the framework seeks to create an adaptive, human-centred, and data-driven learning environment that resonates with the unique needs and potentials of each individual. The ultimate goal is to empower healthcare professionals to go beyond mere knowledge acquisition to curating wisdom, thereby shaping a future in healthcare that is not only clinically effective but also sustainably transformative.
Health Interval Colorectal Cancer Rates in Alberta
The study aimed to understand the prevalence of interval colorectal cancer rates in Alberta and examine their correlation with the quality of colonoscopy procedures and adherence to established healthcare standards. The objectives included informed benchmarking for quality assurance, validating the feasibility of incorporating Choosing Wisely guidelines, and disseminating this data for broader medical discussions. By combining meticulous data analysis with quality assurance measures and a commitment to ongoing improvement, the study sought to serve as a catalyst for transformative change in the realm of colorectal care in Alberta.
Multidisciplinary Approach to Improve Patients’ Adherence to Bowel Preparation Instructions
The study aimed to investigate how diverse knowledge translation strategies can improve bowel preparations before colonoscopies, examine the financial impact of rescheduling procedures due to inadequate preparation, and explore whether a multidisciplinary approach can reduce missed cancer cases and deferrals. Objectives included enhancing preparation protocols, reducing colorectal cancer incidence, educating patients, minimizing financial strain from rescheduling, and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration within Alberta Health Services. By combining patient education, procedural refinement, and cost-reduction strategies, the study sought to transform gastroenterological care in Alberta.
Retinal Detachment Treatment Patterns in Alberta
The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of various surgical interventions for retinal detachment used by Retina Surgeons in Alberta, assess the spectrum of techniques deployed, and investigate how these procedures are sequenced for optimal outcomes. Objectives included providing comparative data for benchmarking surgical efficacy, fostering collaborative discussions to create consensus guidelines, and contrasting surgeons' self-perceptions of their techniques with actual clinical practices. Through comprehensive data synthesis, peer reflection, and dissemination at provincial, national, and global levels, the study aspired to not just document but also shape the future of retinal care in Alberta.
Just-in-time Learning & Improvement Virtual Platform: Learning4Health
The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Learning4Health platform, a just-in-time, integrated virtual learning environment designed to meet the immediate and evolving needs of healthcare professionals. Objectives included ensuring seamless accessibility to evidence-based content, fostering holistic professional development, and transforming traditional passive content consumption into dynamic, collaborative learning experiences through next-generation video discussions. Learning4Health distinguishes itself by prioritizing not just content delivery but also crafting an engaging, interactive learning experience aimed at creating a more enlightened and empowered community of healthcare professionals.