On the issue of digital transformation of medical education: a study of universal and professional digital competencies of students

Digitalization as the main trend in the transformation of the healthcare system poses an urgent task a change in the basic approaches to the training of medical specialists, whose main training order is formed by government authorities. The modernization of student training should be reflected not only in the planned enrollment figures, but also in the essential changes in competencies anchored by state educational standards for medical specialties.

Aim. Assessment of digital competencies of medical students and their readiness for professional activities in the context of the digital transformation of healthcare.

Materials and methods. A remote survey was conducted using the DigCompSAT methodology, adapted by the author’s blocks, which make it possible to assess students’ digital readiness to solve professional problems and use artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of healthcare. A total of 269 respondents took part in the survey – students of Saratov State Medical University specializing in medical treatment, representing 21 subjects of the Russian Federation.

Results. The assessment of students’ readiness to implement digital professional competencies and use information technologies demonstrated that a signifi cant portion of the surveyed students have an advanced level of knowledge about the capabilities of the Unifi ed Portal of State Services (44 % know well and 14 % have deep knowledge). 35 % of students demonstrated an advanced level of knowledge about the implementation of the federal project “Creation of a single digital circuit in healthcare based on a unified state information system in the field of healthcare”, 41 % have a general idea. In the medical field of using AI, 45 % of students indicated an advanced level, however, only 33 % and 34 % of respondents, respectively, are well acquainted with the theory and practice of using AI and know positive examples of its application. 44 % of respondents have a basic level of understanding of the use of AI in healthcare, and 11 % know nothing about it.

Conclusion. To achieve digital readiness of the healthcare system, special attention must be paid to the formation of both universal and professional digital competencies.

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