While there is still the usual paper-pencil patient management method in teaching medicine, various companies have started producing simulators as a training aid in the medical field. With these simulators, students can watch medical procedures from a television screen, as if they are there while the procedure is taking place. These simulators can increase awareness and preparedness in medical education because of the audio-visual elements present in these tools. There are already numerous simulation materials used by medical professionals and educators in learning, such as emergency medicine, labor and delivery and surgery.
The internet has significantly increased the accessibility for information anywhere in the world. It has become a helpful tool in research and education. Medicine is one of the many education courses that tackles huge amount of information. Medical-related websites have been developed and produced as online learning aids. Medical instructors encourage reading medical websites because comparing to books and printed publication, the latest information is easily available in the web. Certain medical associations and publications come up with websites so that students and professionals can get instant access. There are also blogs from doctors and forums specifically for medical learning wherein people can interact with each other by posting on various forum topics. Search engines became a popular means to generate credible medical-related websites to help students succeed in their chosen career.
From the time universities implemented video tapes, medical instructional videos have come out to make it easier for students to watch various medical procedures. Improvements on video technology have become instrumental in enhancing the quality of medical videos that come out. Apart from DVDs, online websites are also promoting videos and webcasts for medical students as part of their study aid. Students register and sign up where webcasts are available and they can watch simultaneously with others. Subject-matter experts are present during these webcasts should the participants have any questions regarding the video. Multimodal training systems are also another type of computer-based training videos. For medical education, these incorporate patient footage, 3D renderings and realistic medical images.