TRANSFORMING MEDICAL EDUCATION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF DIGITAL INNOVATION AND E-LEARNING ADOPTION IN HEALTH PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

Authors: Dr. Collins Owuor*, Dr. Dorcas Wambugu, Dr Grace Achieng Otieno, Synthia Anyango & Harun Muirugi Muiruri

ABSTRACT

Digital innovation is increasingly central to modern educational curricula, yet medical institutions have been slow to integrate e-learning effectively alongside traditional methods and clinical mentorship. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated the shift towards online learning, positioning it as a crucial component of contemporary education. This study employs a systematic literature review and content analysis to examine the impact of digital technology on health professional training. It aims to assess how the adoption and use of digital tools affect training outcomes, identify challenges faced by educators, and propose practical and technical solutions for improving digital adoption. The review of literature indicates strong support for the adoption of e-learning across all educational institutions, including medical schools. Despite this support, challenges such as insufficient technical skills, negative attitudes, and time constraints persist among educators. The study highlights the need for enhanced skills training and institutional support to address these barriers. It concludes that while digital learning plays a fundamental role in enhancing educational access, further integration and support are essential to fully leverage its potential in medical education.

Keywords: Digital Technology, e-Learning, Medical Education, Adoption Challenges, COVID-19 Impact

REFERENCES

  • Abbasi S, Ayoob T, Malik A, Memon SI. Perceptions of students regarding E-learning during     Covid-19 at a private medical college. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(COVID19–S4). doi: 10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2766
  • Curran, Vernon PhD; Fleet, Lisa MA; Simmons, Karla MA; Lannon, Heather BSW, MSW; Gustafson, Diana L. MEd, PhD; Wang, Chenfang BA; Garmsiri, Mahyar BSc (Hon); Wetsch, Lyle MBA, MSc. Adoption and Use of Mobile Learning in Continuing Professional Development by Health and Human Services Professionals. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions: Spring 2019 – Volume 39 – Issue 2 – p 76-85 doi: 10.1097/CEH.0000000000000243
  • Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and User Acceptance of Information Technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319-340.
  • Hollander JE, Carr BG. Virtually perfect? Telemedicine for Covid-19. N Engl J Med. 2020;382(18):1679–1681. doi: 10.1056/NEJMp2003539
  • Niebuhr V, Niebuhr B, Trumble J, Urbani M. Online faculty development for creating E-learning materials. Edu Health. 2014;27(3):255–61.
  • O’Doherty D, Dromey M, Lougheed J, Hannigan A, Last J, McGrath D. Barriers and solutions to online learning in medical education – an integrative review. BMC Med Educ. 2018;18(1):130. doi: 10.1186/s12909-018-1240-0
  • Owuor, C., Otieno, G. A., Kinyua, K., Shunet, S. N., Muiruri, H. M., & Otieno, C. A. (2024). Sociodemographic risk factors of mental health and academic performance in the context of adoption of innovative technologies at the Kenyan Medical Training Colleges (KMTC): A critical review of literature. Kenya Medical Training College, Kenya. https://doi.org/10.37602/IJREHC.2024.5502
  • Owuor, C., Tshombe, D., Musuya, A., & Otieno, G. (2021). FACTORS AFFECTING STUDENTS, ASSESSMENTS PERFORMANCE: CASE OF KENYA MEDICAL TRAINING COLLEGE (AN OPERATIONAL STUDY OF KMTC). African Journal of Education and Practice, 7(2), 30-49.
  • Piaget, J. (1936). Origins of Intelligence in the Child. Routledge & Kegan Paul.
  • Regmi, K., Jones, L. A systematic review of the factors – enablers and barriers – affecting e-learning in health sciences education. BMC Med Educ 20, 91 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-020-02007-6
  • Rose S. Medical student education in the time of COVID-19. JAMA. 2020;323(21):2131–2132. doi: 10.1001/jama.2020.5227
  • Saekow Apitep and Samson Dolly. E-learning Readiness of Thailand’s UniversitiesComparing to the USA’s Cases. Int J e-Education, e-Business, e-Management e-Learning. 2011;1 (2).
  • Safi S, Thiessen T, Schmailzl K, Acceptance and Resistance of New Digital Technologies in Medicine: Qualitative Study JMIR Res Protoc 2018;7(12):e11072 URL: https://www.researchprotocols.org/2018/12/e11072 DOI: 10.2196/11072
  • Siritongthaworn S, Krairit D, Dimmitt NJ, Paul H. The study of e-learning technology implementation: A preliminary investigation of universities in Thailand. Educ Inf Technol. 2006;11(2):137–60.
  • Vaona A, Banzi R, Kwag KH, Rigon G, Cereda D, Pecoraro V, Tramacere I, Moja L. E‐learning for health professionals. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2018, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD011736. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011736.
  • Venkatesh, V., Morris, M. G., Davis, G. B., & Davis, F. D. (2003). User Acceptance of Information Technology: Toward a Unified View. MIS Quarterly, 27(3), 425-478.
  • Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Harvard University Press.