Medical training and education for healthcare professionals never cease, as new technologies and practices emerge, proper training is necessary for safety and reliability purposes and to provide the best care for patients. The healthcare sector underwent significant changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; companies, industries, healthcare workers and student were all affected by the phenomenon and the resulting challenges.
For the benefit of uninterrupted medical education, technology made its way into the learning and teaching processes all over the world. Therefore, through the implementation of various tools, virtual platforms and technologies, the road to academic success was still a possibility despite the sanitary crisis.

DIGITAL HEALTHCARE – A BRIEF HISTORY

Digital training programs have been around for a very long time, but weren’t as prominent as nowadays. Over the years as technology improved and developed, e- medical learning was gaining traction. However, the most notable rise in popularity is a result of new obstacles following the covid-19 outbreak, such as social distancing, quarantine, closure of training programs etc… organizations had to find new ways to allow healthcare workers access to high-quality training programs all the while ensuring a safe, remote and secure setting. The most suitable solution was to transition training courses and materials to the virtual world.

Nowadays, technology is already a part of our day-to-day life, digital medical training only shifts how we see and use our technology in the context of patient healthcare.  As technology and education continue to collaborate, new platforms and methods emerged, allowing the community to interact and exchange with one another in a new way.

Through this new method, the main goal remains the same: providing the best care, treatment, diagnosis and service for patients by training professionals with leaning-edge technologies, techniques and treatments.

HOW DOES DIGITAL TRAINING AFFECT PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY?

The main benefit of digital education is accessibility and flexibility, students and healthcare professionals can access course materials during live sessions but also any time of the day through replay options. In other words, this concept is encouraging to users who lead busy lifestyle by giving them learning opportunities that meet their needs and rhythm, and more autonomy and independence to move along the curriculum. Moreover, technology provides a more productive environment and atmosphere. Through virtual classes, aspiring student get to strengthen and develop their skills in the comfort of an accustomed location.

With the development of new tools, trainers experience the real challenges and difficulties related to a specific course whilst being virtually guided by the trainer. With the rise of e-learning all around the world, reaching an all-time peak, organization have sought to pass on the same academic rigor, values and seriousness as face-to-face classes, allowing the trainees to receive the same transmitted skills, knowledge and know-how but in a customized environment.

Virtual education truly removes the stress and discomfort related to crowded classrooms and commute, and allows anyone to benefit from a fruitful, customized learning experience, whenever, and wherever they may be.

Learning is only one click away, digital healthcare education adapts to the trainee

and not the other way around.

E-learning knows no boundaries, expert trainer from all over the world can impart their knowledge and wisdom on a specific subject to an international audience of trainees. This concept opens student to different and diverse courses and subjects, regardless of time zones and schedules.

All these elements indicate that the benefits of digital education revolve around the needs of the trainer and the trainee, demonstrating that digital healthcare education is conductive to a productive and efficient training environment

Digital tools opened the healthcare sector to a world of opportunities

WHAT NEXT FOR DIGITAL MEDICAL EDUCATION?

As the benefits of technology in the learning process became clear following the covid-19 pandemic, we can expect further developments and implementation of new high-end technology such as Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence etc… to be part of the process. However, the adoption of these tools raises new questions as to the future of digital health and how these new virtual learning experiences adapt to patient care afterwards.