Artificial Intelligence, Technology and Simulation
Innovative technologies, including artificial intelligence, virtual reality and simulation-based learning are growing rapidly within the field of medical education. New technologies will reshape clinical education, but their evaluation requires clear outcomes, attention to bias, governance and real-world evidence.
Despite a growing body of literature exploring the role of digital innovation in improving educational outcomes, there is a notable shortage of empirical research evaluating real-world impacts of implementing emerging technologies, such as generative artificial intelligence in the context of medical education. Potential research questions being considered by the group include whether AI-scribes can be used to help provide feedback to students on their history-taking skills, whether synthetic data can be used as educational material and the role of virtual electives through digital technology. Our current areas of exploration include the following four pillars:
1. Artificial intelligence within medical education
2. Synthetic patients and synthetic data for training purposes
3. Virtual and distributed clinical learning
4. Governance and oversight of clinical artificial intelligence in an educational research setting
The Clinical Education Researchers' Group has produced guidance for clinical education research projects which involve artificial intelligence. The guidance is intended to help researchers make sure that their project has considered and adjusted for potential risks at the point of study design.
If you are a student, academic or clinician based in the Cambridge area who has an idea for technological innovation research in the context of educational research please reach out. We can help refine the research question, develop the protocol, identify collaborators and navigate governance processes.
