Medical students and instructors view online learning for medicine as complementary to traditional classroom learning, according to Dr. Jorge Ruiz, an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the University of Miami. He notes that online learning is becoming fully integrated into medical school curricula and transforming the role of medical school faculty members.
Online learning for medicine allows students and teachers some flexibility in how and when they share information; online medical cases also allow great detail and unique styles of presenting scientific information, according to Trisha Greenhalgh, a medical educator. Online learning also allows for some degree of personalization for the student and teacher, with lessons progressing at an individual pace.
Trisha Greenhalgh, a medical education expert, notes that potential obstacles to acceptance of online learning for medicine include cultural resistance from teachers, poor technology and inadequate integration of online learning with classroom teaching. Poor course design, technical glitches and unclear instruction can prevent acceptance of online medical education in several studies.
Online learning for medicine is available for medical students, trainees and practicing physicians. Medical schools, professional journals and for-profit web sites offer online learning for practicing doctors; medical school faculty started developing online learning modules for students and trainees, as well as researching new ways to teach online.