Lessons for the Future: Comparison and Contrasts of the Master of Health Professions Education Programs Offered in China and Egypt

Purpose: This article compares and contrasts the Master of Health Professions Education (MHPE) program offered in China and Egypt. Its goal is to explain the successes and failures of the China project using the Egyptian experience as a model, and to provide suggestions for future overseas projects. The primary purpose of these projects was to establish a core group of reform-minded MHPE graduates who would work to implement institutional improvements in both countries. Summary: Results indicate that, in both countries, career standing for MHPE graduates improved. However, there are some important differences. In Egypt, graduates were able to establish long-term reforms. In China, graduates, on returning to their home provinces, found it difficult to affect institutional change on a large scale. Conclusions: Five areas where improvements could be made to better ensure the success of academic programs being held abroad in the future are discussed. These are cultural awareness, communication, teaching metho...