National MEDigi project: systematic implementation of digitalization to undergraduate medical and dental education in Finland

Authors

• Anna Reetta Levy Oulun yliopisto
• Petri Kulmala Faculty of Medicine and Medical Research Center (MRC), University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
• Jussi Merenmies Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
• Jarmo Jääskeläinen Faculty of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
• Outi Kortekangas-Savolainen Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
• Juhani Jääskeläinen Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
• Seppo Nikkari Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, University of Tampere and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
• Anne Remes Faculty of Medicine and Medical Research Center (MRC), University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
• Jarmo Reponen Research unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23996/fjhw.83309

Keywords:

education, medical, educational technology, telemedicine, digital skills

Abstract

MEDigi is a nationwide Finnish project that aims to develop and implement digital teaching, learning and assessment solutions and to provide possibilities for national harmonization of undergraduate medical and dental education in Finland. The MEDigi project will investigate the options and feasibility of a common national digital online platform and produce digital content and solutions for medical education. Furthermore, tools and support system for digital pedagogy training will be created to ensure that the teaching staff will achieve and retain appropriate digipedagogical skills. The project aims also to increase the competence related to the digital tools used in clinical practice (eHealth, digital health) of physicians and dentists. Furthermore, academic research will be carried out on various aspects of the project. All the universities in Finland that offer the Licentiate Degree in Medicine and Dentist programmes are involved: Universities of Eastern Finland, Helsinki, Oulu, Tampere and Turku. The project is coordinated by the University of Oulu. The project is carried out in close collaboration with the Finnish Medical Society Duodecim and the Finnish Dental Society Apollonia. The project lifespan is until the end of May 2021. MEDigi project is financed by the Finnish Ministry of Culture and Education and its total budget is over 4 million euros.