MedEd Deep Dive

This episode explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing medical education. We include a recent study on AI's role in providing personalized learning support, improving assessments, and even shaping curricula for medical students. We discuss the potential benefits of AI, such as individualized feedback and curriculum improvements, as well as the challenges, including ethical concerns and the difficulty of proving AI’s effectiveness. We also consider the exciting potential of collaboration between doctors and engineers and what the future of AI-driven medical education could mean for patients.

Link to the publication: https://mededu.jmir.org/2019/1/e13930

In this episode, we explore how augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) are reshaping medical education. We dive into a comprehensive study using the Web of Science that tracks the rise of VR since the 1990s, the explosion of AR with the advent of smartphones, and the early developments of MR. From surgical simulations to empathy training, we discuss how XR technologies are transforming how health professionals learn and practice, paving the way for a more interactive, immersive future in healthcare education.

Link to the publication: https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/201904.0323/v1

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the transformative potential of serious gaming and gamification in health professions education. Based on a comprehensive systematic review, we explore how game-based learning strategies are reshaping the way healthcare professionals acquire and apply critical knowledge and skills. From improving knowledge retention to boosting real-world clinical performance, serious gaming shows promising results, but is it the future of medical education? Join us as we discuss the study’s key findings, including the role of gamification in enhancing learner engagement and the need for further research on long-term effectiveness and patient outcomes. Whether you're a student, educator, or healthcare professional, this episode will challenge your perceptions of how games could level up the future of healthcare training.

Link to the publication: https://www.jmir.org/2019/3/E12994

In this episode, we explore how the healthcare industry can tackle the growing need for IT skills among health professionals, based on a research study that surveyed experts across the EU. Hosts Zaynab and Yassin dive into the top recommendations, including integrating health IT into education, tailored training for healthcare roles, and involving healthcare workers in eHealth development. The episode highlights the importance of continuous training, role-specific learning, and how health professionals can leverage technology to improve patient care.

We also discuss the challenges of implementing IT training, from securing funding to ensuring effective governance and the ongoing debate about the role of online versus hands-on learning. Whether you’re a healthcare worker, educator, or simply interested in the future of healthcare, this episode offers valuable insights into how we can prepare the workforce for the digital revolution in medicine.

Link to the publication: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1460458217704257

In this episode, we dive into a systematic review that explores the effectiveness of online digital education (ODE) for medical doctors' post-registration training. Hosts Zaynab and Yassin break down the findings from 93 randomized controlled trials, analyzing how ODE impacts doctors' knowledge, skills, attitudes, and even satisfaction compared to traditional learning methods. While ODE offers flexibility and convenience, the evidence on its effectiveness remains mixed.

We also explore the gaps in the research, such as how ODE affects patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness, and discuss the future of online medical education, including the potential for patient involvement in training. Whether you're a healthcare professional, educator, or curious about digital learning, this episode offers a thought-provoking look at the evolving landscape of medical education.

Link to publication: https://www.jmir.org/2019/2/e13269/

In this episode, we explore the findings of a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the effectiveness of Virtual Reality (VR) in training healthcare professionals. Hosts Zaynab and Yassin break down how VR interventions impact learners' knowledge, skills, and attitudes compared to traditional education methods. With data from 31 studies, the results are compelling—VR shows significant improvements in hands-on skills, but questions remain about long-term impact, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility.

Join us as we discuss the potential of VR in transforming health professions education, the ethical considerations of equitable access to this technology, and the need for more research on its broader implications. Whether you’re an educator, student, or healthcare professional, this episode dives deep into how VR could shape the future of medical training.

Link to publication: https://www.jmir.org/2019/1/E12959/

In this episode, we dive into a research paper that explores how universities can better integrate research into education, drawing on examples from Sweden and Singapore. Hosts Zaynab and Yassin discuss the Healey model, a framework for strengthening the link between teaching and research, and how universities can create learner-centered approaches to empower students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The episode highlights successful examples, from medical students conducting research in Singapore to psychology students organizing conferences in Sweden, showcasing how institutions are closing the gap between theory and practice.

Tune in to learn how these innovative approaches are shaping the future of higher education, offering personalized pathways for students, and creating a more fulfilling learning experience. Whether you're a student, educator, or policy maker, this episode provides valuable insights into how research-integrated learning can transform higher education.

Link to the publication: https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1394678/FULLTEXT01.pdf

In this episode, we explore how Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKC Medicine) in Singapore made Team-Based Learning (TBL) the cornerstone of its medical curriculum. Hosts Zaynab and Yassin dive into a research study that highlights the key factors behind LKC Medicine's large-scale implementation of TBL, covering everything from innovative team-centric learning spaces to their custom-built e-learning platform, iLAMS.

Learn how LKC Medicine overcame the challenges of running TBL for hundreds of students at once, the benefits of a co-teaching model, and the importance of real-time data in enhancing student engagement and outcomes. Whether you’re an educator, student, or curious about active learning methods, this episode offers valuable insights into how collaborative, student-centered learning could reshape medical education—and possibly, other fields.

Link to the publication: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0142159X.2018.1451630

In this episode, we explore how Virtual Patients (VPs) are transforming online medical education, especially in the context of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Hosts Zaynab and Yassin dive into a fascinating study that examines learner engagement with different VP designs—one offering a "choose-your-own-adventure" approach and another providing a more structured, linear experience. The results were surprising: learners engaged more and dropped out less in the more structured VP environments.

Join us as we unpack the reasons behind high dropout rates in MOOCs, the importance of designing learner-centered virtual patient experiences, and the potential of adaptive learning technologies to create personalized education paths. Whether you're an educator, student, or simply interested in the future of online learning, this episode offers valuable insights into making e-learning more effective and accessible.

Link to the publication: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/8/2/44

In this episode, we explore how multi-material, multi-colored 3D printed anatomical models are revolutionizing anatomy education for medical students. Hosts Zaynab and Yassin dive into a research study comparing traditional plastinated specimens with these high-tech 3D models, focusing on the students' reactions and preferences. While 3D models offer enhanced anatomical accuracy, color coding, and interactivity, students still see value in traditional methods, suggesting that a hybrid approach might be the future of medical education.

We also discuss the ethical implications of 3D printing from human tissue, the potential for improving tactile realism, and the exciting possibility of using these models to enhance patient communication. Tune in to learn how 3D printing is not just transforming anatomy labs but could reshape the entire healthcare experience.

Link to the publication: https://anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ase.1703