Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global higher education: Lessons and challenges for medical education in the Americas
Keywords:
Medical Education, COVID-19, Distance LearningAbstract
The COVID-19 pandemic represented an unprecedented global challenge for educational systems, profoundly impacting Higher Education and, critically, medical training in the Americas. The forced transition to virtual learning highlighted structural inequalities, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. In Medical Education, significant disruptions in clinical rotations and practical assessments were documented, although paradoxically, improvements in student mental health were observed with online learning. Trends such as hybrid models, virtual simulation, and microcredentials emerged, although challenges persist in equitable access and the validity of virtual assessments.
The pandemic catalyzed a permanent transformation in Medical Education, highlighting the need for equitable hybrid models that integrate technological innovation with principles of inclusion and student well-being to build more resilient educational systems.
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