On June 21, 2024, Kyiv Medical University, in collaboration with Bogomolets National Medical University, hosted the conference “Development of Digital Education for Medical and Pharmaceutical Workers during the Digital Transformation of Healthcare and the Development of the Electronic Healthcare System (EHS)”. The conference served the aims of Erasmus+ CBHE project Re-Direction.

This conference effectively served as the Gap Analysis Workshop aimed at discussing research findings on educational gaps and exploring potential policy changes. The workshop also featured an in-depth analysis of the existing gaps in medical education, particularly focusing on the challenges and opportunities presented by digital transformation. Here are the key findings:

• Digitalization: The adoption of digital education tools and platforms has been regulated by several decrees, yet challenges remain in terms of security, stability, and accessibility. The integration of digital tools can enhance knowledge accessibility, time management, and development of soft skills such as communication, decision-making, and critical thinking.
• Embracing Digital Transformation: Digital transformation in medical education can improve patient care, clinical outcomes, and working schedules. It can also address evolving challenges in healthcare delivery by leveraging technology for better education and training.
• Drawbacks of Online Learning: While online learning has been a necessity during crises, it has also revealed significant drawbacks such as the need for constant tech support, lack of motivation among educators, technological gaps, outdated equipment, and limited group interactions.
• Sustainability: Sustainable development in higher education is crucial for equipping students with the necessary skills for their professional growth. However, gaps were identified in critical thinking, interdisciplinary interactions, ethics, leadership, and lifelong learning.
• Inclusivity: The inclusivity of medical education needs improvement, particularly for students with disabilities, foreign students, and those affected by the ongoing conflict. Language barriers, limited representation of diverse patient populations, and accessibility issues were highlighted.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the European Education and Culture Executive Agency can be held responsible for them.

More details about the conference: https://re-direction.org/tpost/n1yptixnr1-gap-analysis-workshop-held-at-kmu-addres

More details about the RE-DIRECTION project: https://re-direction.org/