0
0
Lucknow, May 21, 2025 — India’s medical education landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation, driven by rapid technological advances, evolving student expectations, and sweeping national policy reforms. At the heart of this change is a move beyond simple digitisation, reshaping how future doctors are trained and how educators teach.
A System in Transformation
Over the past decade, India has more than doubled its number of medical colleges, with over 660 institutions now offering MBBS and postgraduate seats—up from 387 in 2014. This expansion, while promising, brings new challenges: ensuring quality, engagement, and real-world readiness in a rapidly growing system.
National reforms such as the National Medical Commission’s Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) model and the National Education Policy (NEP) are pushing institutions to shift away from rote learning. The focus now is on skill-based, practical outcomes—requiring not just new teaching tools, but a fundamental shift in educational philosophy.
“This isn’t just about replacing chalk with screens,” noted a participant at Elsevier’s recent Leadership Dialogue in Lucknow. “It’s about changing the very fabric of how doctors are trained.”
Meeting the Needs of Digital Natives
Today’s medical students are digital natives—accustomed to modular, visual, and interactive learning. They expect instant access to information and personalised educational experiences. As Dr. Rajan Bhatnagar from Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences observed, “Students want something like fast food—quick, repeatable, and on their own terms.”
Platforms such as ClinicalKey Student, Osmosis (with its short-form video explainers), and Complete Anatomy (a 3D interactive tool) are helping to meet these demands. These technologies allow students to access verified medical content anytime, anywhere, making learning more engaging and tailored to individual needs.
Empowering Faculty: The Critical Link
However, the shift to digital learning is not without its challenges. Faculty members are under increasing pressure to master new platforms, redesign curricula, and stay updated with rapidly evolving medical knowledge—all too often without adequate training or support.
“Children are smarter than us with tech,” admitted Dr. Momal Mishra of Hind Institute of Medical Sciences, Sitapur. “We need structured training to catch up. Many teachers still don’t know how to integrate these tools meaningfully.”
Connectivity gaps in rural colleges, resistance to change, and time constraints further complicate the transition. Dr. Saurabh Pal from AIIMS Raebareli stressed, “Unless the faculty is oriented and confident, digital tools will remain underutilised. Orientation isn’t optional anymore, it’s foundational.”
To address these issues, Elsevier is conducting focused workshops to empower educators with the skills and confidence needed to leverage new technologies effectively.
Libraries: From Bookshelves to Digital Hubs
The traditional library is evolving into a digital access point. Dr. Divya Narain Upadhyaya of King George’s Medical University noted, “Students no longer visit to find books—they come for quiet study, while accessing e-journals and platforms remotely. Space constraints no longer limit resource access.” The blend of digital and print resources is becoming the new norm.
Co-Creating the Future
At the Leadership Dialogue, Elsevier showcased how its platforms can be seamlessly integrated into everyday teaching. The company is positioning itself not just as a content provider, but as a long-term partner in academic innovation. “Innovation in education is not about replacing teachers,” said Dr. Navbir Pasricha from Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences. “It’s about empowering them to teach better, with verified sources, multimedia tools, and trusted platforms.”
A Collaborative Journey
The transformation of medical education is a collective effort, requiring coordination among policymakers, institutions, faculty, and solution partners like Elsevier. AI-enabled content discovery and simulation-based anatomy learning are already available—the challenge now is building faculty capacity and infrastructure to match.
“We’re not just digitising content,” concluded Dr. Shally Awasthi from Dr. KNS Memorial Institute of Medical Sciences. “We’re redefining what it means to teach and to learn, and that’s the real opportunity.”
The Elsevier Leadership Dialogue, held on April 5, 2025, in Lucknow, brought together senior educators to explore the future of digitally enabled learning, with interactive sessions and product demonstrations. The event was supported by ETHealthworld as media partner.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from ETHealthworld’s coverage of the Elsevier Leadership Dialogue. The content is non-editorial, and ET Healthworld disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, relating to it. ET Healthworld does not guarantee, vouch for, or necessarily endorse any of the content.
Citations:
