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MedEd DeepDive: Where Innovation Meets Education
Whether you're a student navigating the complexities of medical school, an educator striving to improve learning outcomes, a researcher pushing the boundaries of knowledge, or a policymaker shaping the future of medical education—this podcast is for you.
In Season 1 of MedEd DeepDive, we explore the cutting-edge innovations transforming how we teach and learn. From the use of AI and chatbots to combat vaccine misinformation to the game-changing potential of virtual simulations and the metaverse in medical training, our episodes dive into the latest research and real-world applications. We'll also discuss innovative tools like serious games, escape rooms, and virtual patients that make learning more immersive and effective.
Join us as we examine the technological advancements and essential human elements of healthcare education, highlighting how strategies like interprofessional education, team-based learning, and even traditional methods like moulage can create a more holistic and impactful approach.
Subscribe now to stay ahead of the curve and participate in the conversation shaping the future of healthcare education.
Ever notice how some people, you know, they're like, always gotta try the newest gadget, the latest learning hack, and then there are others, like, they're happy with their routines. Right?
Yassin:Yeah. Absolutely. You see it everywhere.
Zaynad:Well, today, we're taking that idea that, like, oh, shiny new thing versus if it ain't broke and diving into how it plays out with, get this, doctors in Iran.
Yassin:Okay. Now that's a deep dive. But, seriously, it's a really interesting angle.
Zaynad:Right. We're talking about how these doctors are choosing to get their CME, that's continuing medical education for those just tuning in, online versus the old school ways.
Yassin:And what's fascinating is this isn't even, like, super high-tech stuff we're talking about. This study, it really gets at those underlying preferences that kinda make us tick.
Zaynad:And to decode all that, we've got this theory, the theory of planned behavior.
Yassin:Uh-huh.
Zaynad:Sounds a little textbook y, I know.
Yassin:Just a bit. But think of it like, like those code breaking rings you got in cereal boxes as a kid.
Zaynad:Oh, I loved those.
Yassin:Right. So this theory, it helps us crack the code of why people do what they do. Like, why hit that enroll button for an online course or say, nope. I'm good, and stick with the textbook. Yeah.
Yassin:It's not random. There are forces at work.
Zaynad:Forces at work. I like it. So we've got these GPs, general practitioners in Iran. And like you were saying, Iran back then, not exactly Silicon Valley.
Yassin:No. Not quite. But they could get get this, up to half their CME credits online if they wanted.
Zaynad:Wow. That's a lot.
Yassin:It is. But the system, super basic.
Zaynad:Right.
Yassin:Think more like CD ROMs, offline courses.
Zaynad:Okay. So less Netflix and learn, more like find a computer that still has a disk drive kind of learning.
Yassin:Pretty much. Yeah. But even with that, it's still a choice. Right? Old ways or this new online thing.
Yassin:And that's where things get interesting. Right? Yeah. Because we're not just talking about the tech itself, but what's going on in these doctors' heads?
Zaynad:Right. Like, what's making them hesitant to jump on board the ECME train even if it's, you know, theoretically easier?
Yassin:Well, the researchers, they found these 2 biggies. 2 things that really stuck out, attitude and this is a mouthful, perceived behavioral control.
Zaynad:Okay. Attitude, that one tracks. Right? Like, if you don't think online learning is any good, why bother? But, break down this perceived behavioral control thing.
Zaynad:What's that all about?
Yassin:So it's actually simpler than it sounds. It's basically, can I actually DO this? Can I, as a doctor, with my skills and resources, make online learning work for me?
Zaynad:Oh, I see. So it's, like, do they have the computer skills, the Internet, even just the time in their busy schedules to make it happen?
Yassin:Exactly. It's that mental image. Right? If you picture yourself wrestling with tech, getting frustrated, not having a clue what you're doing, well, you're probably gonna stick with what you know.
Zaynad:Totally. It's like I hear about a cool new cooking class, but then I'm like, wait, my kitchen's a mess. I don't even own a whisk. Maybe I'll stick to ordering takeout.
Yassin:There you go. And here's another layer. Right? Because we often think, oh, if we're doing it, I should too. Especially in a professional setting, you'd figure that'd matter.
Zaynad:Yeah. Like with other doctors, you hear a colleague raving about this online course, you'd at least be curious, wouldn't you?
Yassin:You'd think so. Right. But get this. In this study, peer pressure, what they call subjective norms, made zero difference.
Zaynad:No way. That's wild. Why do they think that is? Was it just that nobody was talking about this very basic ECME system?
Yassin:That's very possible. Remember, it was mostly offline. No online forums, no community, no place for these doctors to be like, hey. Anyone else try this CD ROM? Thoughts.
Zaynad:Ah, so they're all just on their own little islands learning wise.
Yassin:Exactly. So it's not just, can I do this? Do I like this? But, also, is anyone else doing this with me? That social piece is missing.
Zaynad:Makes you think. Right? Like, how much of this doctor ECME thing is actually happening in all parts of life? New tech comes out. Some of us are early adopters.
Zaynad:Some are like, nah. I'm good.
Yassin:Oh, absolutely. It's human nature. This whole thing, right, it's about how we see this new thing, how we feel about our own ability to even use it. It either pulls us in or pushes us away. We've all been there.
Zaynad:For sure. Like, remember when those, where they those hoverboards were a thing? Some people, they're zipping around having a blast. Others are, like, I'm gonna break an ankle just looking at that thing.
Yassin:Exactly. And sometimes it's not even about the hoverboard itself. Right? It's the story we're telling ourselves about it. Mhmm.
Yassin:Will this make my life better? Or am I gonna look silly? I'm trying. Am I gonna fail?
Zaynad:It's like that saying, whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right. We can psych ourselves out of anything.
Yassin:Totally. And this is where having other people like a community makes a huge difference. If you see your friends, your colleagues, whoever embracing something new, having success with it, you're way more likely to give it a shot yourself.
Zaynad:Oh, for sure. It's like if everyone's learning to knit, suddenly it's fun, it's social. If you're the only one struggling with yarn, it's like, forget this.
Yassin:Right. So what's the takeaway here? If we want people to actually use e new tech, new ways of learning, we gotta do more than just hand it over. It's gotta be about building confidence, showing them the good stuff, and making them feel like part of a community.
Zaynad:Show them how it makes their lives better. Right? And then be there to help them along the way.
Yassin:Couldn't have said it better myself. And it makes you wonder, you know, with tech changing faster than ever, how do we keep making learning, especially elearning, something that's actually good that works for everyone?
Zaynad:That's the $1,000,000 question, isn't it? And on that note, we'll leave you to ponder that one. Thanks for joining us for this deep dive into, well, doctors' choices and maybe even a little bit of ourselves. Until next time, keep those brains engaged.