Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences

Call for Papers

Call for Paper Proposal: Special Issue on the Education of Health Professions for Crisis Situations

Guest Editor:

Dr. Tahra Al Sadig Al Mahdi

School of Medicine, Ahfad University for Women, Omdurman, Sudan

tahrasadigalmahdi@gmail.com

This special issue aims to explore the various impacts of a crisis on Health Professions Education, with a particular focus on the Sudanese context.

The issue will highlight both the immediate and long-term implications of a crisis on Health Professions Education and propose actionable solutions to enhance resilience and effectiveness in such challenging environments.

We invite submissions relating to the challenges, adaptations, and innovative strategies that have emerged in the education of health professionals, in response to crises. In particular, we hope that this issue will expand understanding of the impact of a crisis on pedagogical processes and techniques relating to the education of health professionals through discussions of resilient practices and innovations, evaluations of mental health challenges and support systems, and explorations of the role of technology in health professions training. We also hope the issue will help to support policymakers and educational institutions enhance the resilience and adaptability of health professions education systems via policy and curriculum recommendations.

For this special issue, SJMS is inviting proposals from researchers and practitioners who wish to share their studies and insights on Health Professions Education in Crisis Situations, with a focus on Sudan. We welcome empirical, conceptual, and practical manuscripts on a variety of topics, including but not limited to:

• Impact of crisis situations on health professions education: A global systematic review
• Resilience in health professions education: Lessons from crisis situations
• Innovative educational strategies in crisis situations and post-crisis settings
• Mental health support for health professions students in crisis situations
• Role of telemedicine in health professions training during crisis situations
• Health professions curriculum adaptations for crisis management
• The long-term impact of crisis situations on healthcare delivery
• Training health professions students during crisis situations: A systematic review
• Impact of crises on health professions education as a continuum including undergraduate, postgraduate, and CME/PD
• The role of international aid in supporting health professions education in Sudan
• Experiences of health professions students during the Sudanese crisis situations
• Integration of crisis management in the curriculum of Sudanese medical schools
• The role of simulation-based training in conflict zones, with special emphasis on trauma management
• Community health worker training programs during crisis situations in Sudan
• Post-crisis recovery of health professions education infrastructure in Sudan

Timeline

The special issue will be published in the 2nd issue of SJMS, June 2025.

Call for Proposals Closes – 30^th of November 2024; submit to the editorial board at medc.oiu@gmail.com and the guest editor at tahrasadigalmahdi@gmail.com.

1. Notification of Proposal Acceptance – 31^st December 2024.
   Please note, the editorial acceptance of a proposal does not guarantee the acceptance of a peer-reviewed manuscript.
2. Completed Manuscripts  – 28^th February 2025; use the online submission system of SJMS.
3. Double-blinded Peer Review – Results will be shared by 30^th April 2025.
4. Publication in the 2nd issue of SJMS, June 2025.

Authors should consult the manuscript guidelines for SJMS and submit a proposal that includes:

 An abstract of 250 words with a cover letter explaining the following points:

• Essential points of the literature review introducing the study
• Problem or research questions and research hypotheses, if applicable
• Brief description of (research) methods (e.g., design, sample size, and sampling technique)
• Concept or Results
• Implications or Conclusion

Example:

Impact of Crisis Situations on Health Professions Education: A Global Systematic Review

Essential Points of Literature Review: The literature highlights the significant disruptions to Health Professions Education caused by Crisis Situations, including the destruction of infrastructure, displacement of students and faculty, and the challenges of continuing education in unstable environments.

Problem or Research Questions and Research Hypotheses: How do Crisis Situations impact Health Professions globally, particularly in terms of disruptions, adaptations, and long-term effects?

Brief Description of Research Methods: This study will use a systematic review design. It will define inclusion/exclusion criteria to select relevant studies, search multiple databases (e.g., PubMed, Google Scholar), and use PRISMA guidelines for screening and selecting studies. Data on key variables such as curriculum impact, student performance, faculty changes, and infrastructure will be extracted and analysed.

Concept or Results: The results will provide a synthesis of how Health Professions systems adapt to and recover from the impacts of Crisis Situations, including successful strategies and persistent challenges faced by affected institutions.

Implications or Conclusion: The findings will have important implications for policymakers and educational institutions, offering insights into effective practices for mitigating the impacts of Crisis Situations on Health Professions and suggestions for enhancing resilience and adaptability in similar future crises.

References

• Ibnouf, M., Sirelkhatim, K., Elhaboob Arabi, N., & Ibnouf, M. (2024). Editorial – Commitment toward accreditation of medical schools during natural disasters and war in Sudan. Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences (SJMS), 19(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.18502/sjms.v19i1.15761
• Al Sadig Al Mahdi, T., Fahal, A. H., & El Mardi, A. S. (2024). Health ramifications and recovery avenues for Sudan’s April 2023 armed conflict: A re Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences (SJMS), 19(1), 132–148. https://doi.org/10.18502/sjms.v19i1.15789