Medical and Educational Academy

doctors and nurses. It was those years that consolidated their desire to take education to a higher level in subsequent years. Professor Amso’s move to a higher education environment in 1998 led to him developing skills in setting up and delivery of academic programmes to undergraduate students and postgraduate trainees aspiring to have careers in medicine. Ultimately, this passion inspired the foundation of Medical and Educational Academy in 2016 as a family business delivering flexible online learning and on-site training. Our motto, “Widening Access, Maintaining Standards” reflects our belief that every healthcare professional has the right to access quality higher education to further their career. Our Milestones
In the early 1980s, Professor Amso and Dr Scott were at various stages of their training, acquiring knowledge and imparting it to more junior colleagues informally. In the latter years, both had chosen their career paths, in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and General Practice respectively. They were embarking on developing their education roles further. The 1990s were the “Discovery Years”. Professor Amso, completing his research theses at London University and Dr Scott, now an established London GP. On moving to Newcastle, Nazar started his journey with ultrasound education by setting up of his first course, now in its 27th Year. The decade ended with another move, now to Cardiff. The 2000s brought new ideas and exciting opportunities. Nazar’s role in undergraduate education and his contribution to the RCOG ultrasound training lasted well over a decade. However, it was the establishment of MedaPhor as a Cardiff University simulation spin-out and the development of the ultrasound Masters programme that, uniquely changed the paradigm of ultrasound education. The 2010s was the decade of awards to the simulation systems and their emerging impact on education. They filled a big gap in training and their metrics’ precision meant that training standards remained high. Equally, by the end of 2010s, nearly 150 students had successfully completed their study on the Masters course. The torch was now handed to Medical and Educational Academy! Looking to the Future
Delivery of education has changed considerably in the past decade. Equally, demand for high calibre courses is ever increasing, but is compounded by the ever spiralling costs of delivering education, potentially making it out of reach for the majority of healthcare professionals. Distance learning and online courses offer a solution, yet for skills-based specialities they need to address the need to demonstrate competency in the skills acquired. Integration of simulation in an online course coupled with practical exams ensures robustness of the course and its sustainability. This philosophy “Widening Access, Maintaining Standards” was pioneered by Advanced Medical Simulation Online and inspired the formation of Medical and Educational Academy for delivery of education. This model will be replicated for other specialities and disciplines for the benefit of the global community.