Global perspectives on trends in health higher education

Today, changes in political and economic conditions, epidemiological and sociological developments, and the advancement of science and technology have necessitated the health and medical education systems to change. Therefore, we conducted a study entitled “Global perspectives on trends in higher education in healthcare,” to improve the quality of healthcare so that it can be used as a model for predicting future events related to medical education. This futures study applied the social, technological, economical, ecological, political, values (STEEPV) model to identify and analyze the trends that affect medical education at different levels. To collect and analyze the data, a scoping review of the articles published from the year 2000 was conducted on the World Health Organization (WHO), Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Direct, Google Scholar, EBSCO, and Cochrane databases. The review process was performed in five stages: 1- Determining the research question, 2- Identifying relevant studies, 3- Selecting the studies, 4- Charting the data, and 5- Analyzing data. The preferred reporting item for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement was used in the selection and screening of articles. A total of 213 articles were included in the study for qualitative synthesis. A total of 154 trends were identified using the STEEPV model at seven levels of health behaviors and patients, diseases and health problems, healthcare system, medical education system, medical education institutions, medical curricula, and teaching and learning. Considering the results of this study, it is possible to formulate proper and efficient future scenarios for the higher health education system. Also, it will be helpful for medical education policymaking.