Integrating Technology in Health Professions Education: Trends and Innovations

Date

May 17, 2024

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In all healthcare fields, the integration of technology in teaching and learning is essential for preparing the next generation of professionals. Medical and health professions education have seen a significant transformation, with innovative technologies enhancing how students learn, practice, and understand complex medical concepts. We explore the various ways technology is being utilized in health professions education, and what has proven to be successful in our programs, with insights into the tools and methods shaping the future of healthcare training.

The Evolution of Technology in Health Professions and Medical Education

The integration of technology in teaching has revolutionized medical, nursing, and other health professions education, reinforcing the importance of a more interactive, student-centered learning experience. From virtual reality (VR) simulations to online collaborative platforms, technology is providing educators and students with tools that not only enhance learning but also closely replicate key features of real-life clinical scenarios.

Key Technological Innovations in Health Professions Education

Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

Virtual Reality (VR): VR technology immerses students in a 3D environment where they can interact with virtual patients or anatomical structures. This hands-on approach is particularly effective for surgical training and complex procedure rehearsals, allowing students to practice skills in a risk-free setting.
Augmented Reality (AR): AR overlays digital information onto the real world, enhancing students' understanding of anatomical structures and their spatial relationships. It can be used during dissection courses or to visualize different layers of body tissues without the need for physical models.

Simulation-Based Learning

Simulation is the process of using plausible patient care scenarios to practice clinical skills, aided by skilled facilitators, trained actors, and of course technological tools. Simulation technology has become a cornerstone of health professions education, offering students the opportunity to practice clinical skills in a safe and forgiving environment. These simulations can replicate critical care scenarios, emergency situations, or routine examinations, providing an invaluable learning experience that promotes confidence and competence.

E-Learning Platforms and Online Resources

The rise of e-learning platforms and online resources has greatly expanded access to medical knowledge. These tools offer:

Interactive Modules: Engaging, multimedia-rich content that covers various medical topics, allowing students to learn at their own pace.
Online Collaborative Tools: Platforms that facilitate group projects and discussions, enhancing teamwork and communication skills.

Mobile Applications

Mobile applications allow students to access learning materials anytime and anywhere, making study more flexible and convenient. Apps range from medication reference guides and calculators to interactive case studies and diagnostic tools, supporting both in-depth learning and quick reference needs.

The Impact of Technology on Health Professions

The integration of technology into teaching and learning has several notable impacts:

Enhanced Engagement: Interactive and immersive technologies increase student engagement and motivation.
Improved Understanding: Visual and practical learning tools help students grasp complex concepts more easily.
Skill Development: Simulation and VR provide safe environments for developing clinical skills and decision-making abilities.
Accessibility & Customization: Online resources and platforms ensure that high-quality education is more accessible, supporting a diverse range of learning needs.

The integration of technology in teaching is transforming health professions education, providing medical students, nursing students and other health professions students with immersive, interactive, and highly effective learning experiences. From virtual reality to e-learning platforms, these technological advancements are preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals for a future where technology and medicine are increasingly intertwined. Institutions like the MGH Institute of Health Professions are leading this charge, showcasing the immense potential of technology to enhance education and ultimately improve patient care. The Health Professions Education program faculty and students at MGH institute are leading the way with innovation and technology: students have developed patient monitoring programs, educational escape rooms, VR health professions training that reaches international audiences, and mobile application programs. As technology continues to evolve, its role in health professions education will undoubtedly expand, offering exciting possibilities for both educators and students alike.

Adaptive Learner App

When a student struggles to learn new skills or pass an important exam, teachers wish that they could have done more to support that student. More than ever before, opportunities exist to use data and AI-based technologies to provide customized attention to students who need extra attention. Assistant Professor of Health Professions Education (HPEd) Anshul Kumar has been working on this challenge since 2020, in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams from within and beyond MGH Institute of Health Professions. A common approach for identifying at-risk students is to mine for patterns in data from former students and apply the results to current students. This leads to a prediction about the performance of each current student. Students predicted to be most likely to struggle can then receive extra support and attention from teachers. Using this approach, Kumar led a team of HPEd and Physician Assistant (PA) researchers to create a machine learning model that attempts to predict which students will pass and fail the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), one year before they take it. While this project was a step in the right direction, Kumar found the results to be too dependent on alumni data and prone to making erroneous predictions about current students. This experience left him wanting to do more for students in the IHP’s PA and other degree programs in which students must take high-stakes exams for certification.

Leading a team of website and app developers from Harvard and USC, Kumar has spearheaded the development of the Adaptive Learner App, which is an assessment and analytics platform that provides practice assessment questions for health professions students in multiple formats. Student performance data from each practice session are then stored within the App and used to a) adaptively adjust assessment content shown to each student during the next session and b) provide teachers with both class and student level data on ongoing student performance. Students can use the App as a study tool that adapts to their individual learning needs on the fly, while teachers can quickly identify skill and content areas in which either the entire class or even just a single student is struggling. In 2024, Kumar is piloting the use of the App in his own classes, in which each of his students is required to do at least 15 practice questions each week in the App. Kumar hopes to pilot-test the use of the App in more IHP classes during the summer and fall semesters in 2024. He is also actively seeking collaborators who wish to experiment with this or similar individualized assessment tools.

phone screen with multiple choice question on it — Multiple choice questions are cards that can easily be used on a mobile phone or desktop and track user's responses.

screenshot of a dashboard — Several dashboards help educators see what topics need to be covered more in-depth and results can be drilled down by student to see where individuals might be struggling.