Digitalisation and professional training of medical specialists in Ukrainian universities: A case study in health education

Abstract

Relevance. The COVID-19 pandemic and the introduction of martial law in Ukraine have contributed to the increased use of digital technologies in all spheres of life, including education.Purpose. The purpose of this study was to identify ways to improve professional training in Ukrainian higher education institutions in the context of digitalisation of education, specifically in the healthcare sector.Methodology. To fulfil this purpose, the methods of analysis and synthesis, as well as the interview method and the author�s questionnaire were used.Results. This paper covered the changes in the professional training of Ukrainian students caused by the active development of distance education and digital technologies. To obtain information on the professional training of specialists in the context of digitalisation, a study was conducted among 263 students of Ukrainian medical institutions. The findings of this study showed that students face difficulties in using modern technologies both when studying and in professional practice. Dynamic changes in the use of modern technologies in professional training require greater involvement of educational institutions in this process, namely: creating courses, electives, conducting trainings for students, holding online meetings with leading experts, introducing technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality into the educational process.Conclusions. It was found that effective training of specialists in the context of digitalisation of the educational process should be based on the following principles: the principle of consistency, the principle of activity, consciousness and independence, the principle of purposefulness, the principle of interaction between classroom, and independent learning activities. These principles are interdependent and ensure effective training of future specialists and develop in them the desire for self-education and lifelong development. The findings of this study can be used by the management of higher education institutions and teachers to improve the educational process in the context of digitalisation, as well as by students for professional self-improvement.