By UHN Research Communications
Researchers at The Institute for Education Research (TIER) at UHN are examining how medical schools are preparing for a digital future by analyzing their strategic plans to better equip future health care professionals.
As health care becomes increasingly digitized, medical schools in Canada are preparing for significant changes in patient care. Understanding how these institutions adapt is crucial for shaping the future of health care delivery and education.
A team led by Dr. Paula Rowland, a scientist at TIER and lead author of the study, analyzed 59 strategic plans from medical schools, academic health science centres, and research centres across Canada to explore how they are preparing for digital health transformation.
Their findings reveal two perspectives on digital health within medicine. The first viewpoint sees digital health as an extension of the traditional academic framework, building upon existing practices and expertise. These strategic plans emphasize how digital health can enhance clinician skills and expand research efforts.
The second perspective envisions a more transformative shift as a result of digital health care where digitization reshapes how care is delivered, what knowledge is prioritized, how patients are understood and how data is used.
Dr. Rowland, a Wilson Centre scientist in the Office of the Vice Dean Medical Education at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto (U of T), also emphasizes the importance of understanding the social impact of technological changes.
"As digital health continues to evolve, its impact will extend beyond technology, reshaping education, clinical practices, and patient interactions," says Dr. Rowland, who is also an associate professor (status only) in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and at the Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation at U of T.
"Our findings highlight the need for thoughtful integration of digital tools, ensuring that future health care professionals are well-equipped to navigate and lead in a rapidly changing landscape."
Strategic plans serve as a roadmap for the desired future, highlighting specific health care challenges and mobilizing resources to integrate new technologies and practices. The successful adaptation of medical schools to this digital future will be essential in providing high-quality care and advancing medical knowledge for years to come.
This research was done in relation to a special interest group, supported by TIER, known as the Ethics, Technology, and Change in Healthcare Work. Read more about the group.
This work was further supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and UHN Foundation. Read more about the study.
