Implementing Competency-based Medical Education in Japan Through Information and Communication Technology, Self-management, and Medical Exploration Post-COVID-19: Content Analysis and Nationwide Comparative Studies

Abstract

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to considerable advances in medical education through technological integration. The crisis generated by the pandemic in medical practice, education, and evolving technology has led to changes in the skills of medical professionals. This study aimed to examine the competencies required of medical students in the post-pandemic era. Methods We conducted two studies. Study 1 explored the competencies of medical students necessary after the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted group work with faculty members and students from Chiba University School of Medicine and coded the collected data using content analysis to extract the competencies. In Study 2, we compared the categories classified in Study 1 with the competencies required prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which were extracted from the websites of 82 medical schools and colleges in Japan, to identify the differences in competencies before and after the pandemic. In Study 1, the competencies ascertained during the workshop were coded into 12 categories and 62 subcategories. Results The results of Study 2 showed that the increased occurrence of competencies was related to the utilization of information and communication technology and artificial intelligence, self-management, information gathering and explanation, liberal arts and generic skills, and exploring medicine and medical care/research presentations. The prevalence rates of these factors prior to the COVID-19 outbreak were 17.1%, 28.0%, 39.0%, 41.5%, and 48.8%, respectively. Conclusions Competency-based medical education in information and communication technology, self-management, and medical exploration has become increasingly important after the pandemic. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an educational curriculum to enable medical students to acquire these competencies. The study findings contribute to the literature on medical education and offer valuable insight into setting effective academic goals and designing suitable curricula for undergraduate medical students in the post-pandemic era.