The Institute of Health Sciences Education recently welcomed Dr. Sara Mortaz Hejri to a growing team of scholars. A new Postdoctoral Researcher in Medical Education, Dr. Hejri is investigating the influence of national culture on teaching and learning in an international faculty development program.
“I wanted to broaden my horizons to qualitative methodologies so I decided to do a PostDoc,” said Dr. Hejri.
Dr. Hejri decided to study at McGill because of the reputation of its medical education scholars.
“Canada is famous for high quality research in medical education and its connected network of scientists,” said Dr. Hejri. “In Iran people are quite familiar with the well-known figures of medical education at McGill.”
A shift in methods and research interests
A physician by training, Dr. Hejri received her Master’s and PhD in Medical Education from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, moving on to become a Faculty member in the Department of Medical Education.
The qualitative approach that Dr. Hejri is taking marks a sharp break from her previous research, which mostly employed quantitative methods and psychometrics to examine student assessments.
Now, she is turning toward a new academic terrain with the guidance of Dr. Yvonne Steinert, Director of the Institute of Health Sciences Education.
Clinicians are expected to demonstrate cultural competence, while clinical educators are supposed to be sensitive to teaching in culturally diverse settings and to train students on the importance of culture, Dr. Hejri said. For these reasons, and the increasing globalization of medical education and professional development, cultural awareness in faculty development training is important.
Particularly when it comes to unique opportunities for international faculty development, Dr. Hejri is interested in exploring the influence of national cultures upon multi-country faculty development initiatives.
Dr. Hejri said the warm welcome that she received at the Institute proved essential for a February arrival date.
Cold culture shock
It does snow and go below freezing in Iran, but the intensity of cold and snow in Montreal surprises not only Dr. Hejri but long-time residents.
“I surprised by the cold weather here but I was more surprised about how often people complain about the weather,” Dr. Hejri laughed. “I was a newcomer, so it’s not surprising that I complain, but Canadian people complain about the cold too and each time say, ‘this will be the last storm,’ but it’s not. People who live here don’t get used to it and that’s interesting for me.”
With summer around the corner, Dr. Hejri said she is excited about her research and a warmer climate.
Next steps: to gain, and to give
Dr. Hejri expressed excitement about conducting research at McGill and its importance for her career, but emphasized her hope to contribute to the field of medical education by raising the importance of culture in faculty development.
“This is very important for my career and professional development, but the topic itself has implications for faculty developers and clinical educators,” said Dr. Hejri. “For a country like Canada with people from different cultures, and for international audiences and organizations including Iranian fellows, I hope this research will have an impact.”