Like it or not, technology is revolutionizing medical education and you need to jump on the train if you don’t want to be left behind. If you’re trying to decide what medical school you want to apply for, then you may want to take their philosophy on technology into consideration.
If you want to become a doctor, you need to look into the future of the field. If you go to a school that retains the old methods of teaching and isn’t embracing the technological revolution, you might be at a disadvantage when technologies like 3-D printing and augmented reality start making their way into the fabric of the medical field.
What should you be looking for if you want a school that is tech-savvy and is already up-to-date with the best gear? There are a few things you can look into when researching your school, which will give you a good idea if the institution is embracing these new technologies or not.
What to Look for in a Tech-Savvy Medical School?
- Simulations – The strongest sign that a school is “with-it” is that they don’t use the phrase “with-it.” Joking aside, the university that you’re looking into should be using a variety of simulations in the classroom. This will include digital dissection tables, virtual reality gear, various tablet applications, and more.
- Usage – The technologies mentioned above shouldn’t be a part-time deal, they should be using these in most, if not all, their classrooms. Even if the school can’t afford a digital table for each student, they should still encourage the use of tablets and apps.
- Video Lessons – This is a tool that’s been around for a while. If done right, teachers can take complex concepts and illustrate them in a way that’s simple and easy to digest.
- Research – You know you’re getting what you pay for if your school is conducting research and developing new ways to implement technology like 3-D printing and virtual reality to use in the medical field. Schools like the University of Southern California Institute for Creative Technologies is at the forefront of this exciting new time in medicine.
If you want to engage in the new and expanding world of digital medicine, then do your research on the school you want to attend to make sure they offer some of these tools.