KI well represented at this year's AMEE conference in Barcelona
Over 70 employees and students from Karolinska Institutet participated in this year's international conference for health and medical education, AMEE 2025, which was held in Barcelona. The conference brought together over 4,000 participants from around the world and offered both future outlooks and important discussions on the role of education in a rapidly changing healthcare.
The Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE) is a global meeting place for education in the health and medical professions. This year's conference also marked the 50th anniversary of the OSCE clinical examination tool, which was developed by the conference's founder, Ronald Harden.
KI's delegation consisted of around 70 people, including doctoral students, teachers, researchers, educational leaders and students, mainly from the medical programme. In total, KI had around 15 presentations and assignments in the programme, which demonstrates a strong commitment to the international education dialogue.
"It is gratifying to see that KI is not only well represented, but also actively contributes to the development of healthcare education globally," said one of the participants.
Warning against overuse of AI
Two keynote speakers set the tone for this year's conference. Professor Evelyn Finnema from the Netherlands emphasised the importance of collective ownership, co-creation and long-term collaboration in order to meet future healthcare needs. She particularly highlighted the need to involve students and patients more actively, create new professions and flexible educational programmes, and develop modular approaches and personal mentoring.
The second keynote speaker, Associate Professor Adam Rodman from Harvard Medical School, focused on AI technologies and the risk of cognitive skill loss. He warned against handing over too much of the diagnostic work to AI, which could lead to healthcare professionals losing important skills.
"Technology will develop with or without us. Therefore, as educators, we must be active in shaping its role in healthcare", said Rodman.
Record attendance at KI@AMEE reception
KI's annual KI@AMEE reception broke records this year with 140 participants, half of whom were from KI and the Stockholm region and half from external partners, including previous KIPRIME award winners and KIPRIME fellows. This year also included the presentation of the new researchers in the fellowship programme, who will be welcomed to Karolinska Institutet in October for a three-day training programme.
The majority of participants said they would be happy to return next year, and many reported that they had made new, valuable contacts during the evening. What was most appreciated were the good conversations and unexpected encounters that arose. The fact that KI also invites external guests created extra value.
"I was completely starstruck to meet Prof Ronald Harden," as one participant put it.
Most described the atmosphere as relaxed and easy-going, while others found it energetic and inspiring – an evening where everyone was really on top form.
“The KI party is the best opportunity to network and meet interesting people. It’s not too big, and the atmosphere is cheerful and vibrant,” summarised one of the participants.