The Use of Educational Technology in Clerkship Education: A Rapid Review (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND Medical education has increasingly adopted EdTech to provide effective instruction. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this trend, presenting new challenges for medical students and educators, particularly in clerkship settings. Clerkship students face unique difficulties such as limited access to patients and diverse medical cases. EdTech, including virtual reality, simulators, and mobile apps, offers potential solutions by providing simulated experiences and remote access to learning resources. OBJECTIVE This review aims to: Identify the EdTech tools used in clerkship education from January 2020 to January 2023. Evaluate the outcomes of using such technology in clerkship education. Discuss the challenges associated with utilizing EdTech in this context​ METHODS A rapid review was conducted following guidelines by Tricco et al. (2017) and PRISMA standards. The search included databases like Medline, Embase, and Web of Science for English-language peer-reviewed empirical studies. Inclusion criteria focused on studies in clerkship environments involving medical students. A total of 1717 citations were screened, resulting in 35 studies included for analysis. RESULTS The review found that virtual reality (31.4%), learning platforms (14.2%), video-conferencing tools (11.4%), and mobile technologies (8.5%) were commonly used. These technologies served various purposes such as content delivery, interactive instruction, and assessment. Key advantages included authenticity, engagement, and remote learning. Challenges included the availability of technology, lack of hands-on experience, and high costs. Evaluation of these technologies showed positive learning outcomes, increased engagement, and improved learner satisfaction​. CONCLUSIONS The integration of EdTech in clerkship education has shown promising results, enhancing learning outcomes and student satisfaction. However, challenges such as technological availability, cost, and lack of hands-on experience need to be addressed. Careful planning, collaboration, and alignment with curriculum objectives are essential for the effective implementation of EdTech in medical education. Future research should focus on long-term effects and broader implications of these technologies in clinical education.