1 November 2006

Dundee Professor awarded top research prize

Professor Ronald Harden, of the International Virtual Medical School (IVIMEDS) in Dundee, will be presented with the prestigious Karolinska Institutet Prize for Research in Medical Education in 2006 at a ceremony in Stockholm on Thursday November 2nd.

This is the most prestigious award internationally in the field of medical education, awarded for outstanding research, and has associated with it a prize of 50,000 euros. Professor Harden will give a lecture in the Nobel Forum in the Karolinska Institute on ‘Trends in medical education and the strategy of the dolphin’.

The Karolinska Institutet Prize Committee said of Professor Harden:

"He is an innovative researcher in medical education and a prolific thinker. His ideas have been tested and put into effect in medical schools around the world."

"He has made, and continues to make, outstanding contributions to the broad field of medical education, particularly in the areas of assessment methods, curriculum design, and evidence- and information technology based medical education. His scientific work has promoted excellence in medical education world wide."

Professor Ronald Harden is currently Director of Education with the International Virtual Medical School (IVIMEDS), based at Tay Park House in Dundee. He was formerly Professor of Medical Education, Teaching Dean, Postgraduate Dean and Director of the Centre for Medical Education at the University of Dundee.

On being chosen to receive the award, Professor Harden said:

"I am proud and honoured to be chosen to receive this award which recognises not just my own work but that of the many colleagues who have worked with me and supported me over the years".

Sir Alan Langlands, Principal & Vice-Chancellor, University of Dundee said:

"Ronald Harden has made an extraordinary contribution to medical education throughout the world. He is a thoroughly deserving recipient of such a prestigious award as the Karolinska Institutet Prize."

Professor Ronald Harden was presented in Singapore in February 2006 with the ‘Mentoring, Innovation and Leadership in Education Scholarship' (MILES) award for ‘outstanding contributions to the advancement of global medical education and academic medicine’.

NOTES TO EDITORS

IVIMEDS is a worldwide partnership of leading edge medical schools and institutions working to develop the full potential of e-learning across the continuum of medical education. The aim of the project is to provide an effective means of sharing digital learning resources among partner institutions.

Professor Harden was formerly Professor of Medical Education, Teaching Dean, Postgraduate Dean and Director of the Centre for Medical Education at the University of Dundee and a Consultant Physician. He is Editor of the journal `Medical Teacher’ and General Secretary and Treasurer of the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE).

Professor Harden is recognised as one of the leading international authorities in medical education with unparalleled experience in undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing medical education.

He brings to medical education a unique blend of theoretical and practical experience. Professor Harden is committed to developing new approaches to medical education, curriculum planning and to teaching and learning. Ideas which he has pioneered include the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) which has been universally adopted as a standard approach to assessment of clinical competence.

He is currently leading work related to outcome-based education, curriculum mapping, and the application of new learning technologies. He has written extensively in his areas of interest and has published more than 400 papers in leading journals.

Professor Harden has served as a consultant and visiting professor in Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, Africa, India and the Far East.

His contributions to excellence in medical education have attracted numerous awards including an honorary fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians, Surgeons of Canada, the prestigious Hubbard Award by the National Board of Medical Examiners in the USA and recognition by the Kellogg Foundation for his contributions to medical education in South America.

He was awarded by the Queen the OBE for his services to medical education in 2003. In February 2006 he was presented in Singapore with the ‘Mentoring, Innovation and Leadership in Education Scholarship' (MILES) award for ‘outstanding contributions to the advancement of global medical education and academic medicine’.

The purpose of the Karolinska Institutet prize is to recognize and stimulate high quality research in medical education in order to promote long-term improvements of educational practices in medical training. "Medical" includes all education and training for any health science profession. The prize is made possible through financial support from the Gunnar Höglund and Anna-Stina Malmborg Foundation. It was first awarded in 2004. The third award will be made in 2008.

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