Introducing a New Framework on the Internationalization of Medical Education: A Lesson Learned From COVID-19 in Iran

Context: During the COVID-19 pandemic and challenges, medical education with insight toward training competent students with a global vision has highlighted the necessity of a robust approach toward sustainable development (SD) on internationalization. Inevitable transformations in medical education and its internationalization component due to the COVID-19 pandemic have not yet been investigated. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to assess the current situation and propose the operational framework of internationalization for medical education with a global vision toward SD. Methods: A mixed method was applied. A critical review was conducted on English papers extracted from Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and Elsevier databases using the following search terms: Sustainable development, operational approach, educational environment, management strategies, internationalization, and COVID-19. Boolean operators were used to eliminate inappropriate hits with a focus on research goals. Ineligible studies were excluded by screening titles and abstracts. The knowledge management was applied to the related findings of the internationalization of medical education components. Results: Evidence presents a new order of internationalization components of internal and external dimensions with an educational paradigm shift to virtual programs. Assessing these dimensions indicated the requirement of implementing SD. The suggested pathway should initiate from the internal institution dimensions (facilities and budget component with generating income), followed by the external institution dimensions (sociocultural element and nation-building). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has forced educational institutions to shift to virtual education. The designed framework highlights educational activities toward virtual education and earning income, empowering faculties, and meeting social needs in medical education to achieve SD.