Ukrainian medical universities introduce digital technologies in teacher training
Medical education in Ukraine is gradually transforming to meet modern standards and challenges, with a key focus on developing the digital skills of medical university teachers. One such initiative is the international Erasmus+ KA2 UkraineDigiTrans project (Digital Transformation for Medical Education in Ukraine).
The project aims to help Ukrainian educators master modern digital tools, simulation techniques, and innovative teaching approaches, making the educational process in medical higher education institutions more interactive, accessible, and effective.
“Digital transformation in medical education is not just about tools but about the people who can use them effectively. Our goal is to ensure every medical university student in Ukraine has access to high-quality, modern education,” said Deputy Minister of Health for Digital Development Mariia Karchevych.
Throughout 2024–2025, Ukrainian teachers participated in several international training programmes, including a five-day Train-the-Trainers course in Finland and the Sustainable Medical Education Methods and Tools programme in Greece.
During these sessions, participants learned the basics of digital pedagogy, worked with interactive platforms (such as MIRO, Mentimeter, and Padlet), developed their own curricula, and explored modern approaches to supporting the psycho-emotional well-being of teachers and students.
Special emphasis was placed on integrating extended reality and artificial intelligence technologies into education, including the use of virtual patients and clinical simulations (replicating real medical scenarios to allow students to practice diagnostics, treatment, and patient interaction in a safe environment).
As of mid-2025, dozens of Ukrainian educators have participated in the project, attending training sessions both abroad and in Ukraine.
Additionally, in spring 2025, Ukrainian universities launched pedagogical courses titled “Teacher Professional Excellence: Digital Pedagogy.” These courses include peer training cycles, a format based on the “peer-to-peer” learning principle, where teachers share their experiences, methodologies, and practical insights with one another.
Future plans include scaling up trainer preparation programmes to involve more educators from various regions of Ukraine.
These steps are a vital part of building a modern medical education system capable of effectively responding to contemporary challenges and societal needs.
Background
The project is implemented in partnership with European universities and coordinated by Laurea University of Applied Sciences (Finland). Partners include Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece), Odesa National Medical University, Bukovinian State Medical University, Bogomolets National Medical University, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, and the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance.
Recently, at the SESAM and AMEE 2025 international conferences, Ukraine presented the results of another digital medical education project, D-CREDO. This initiative focuses on integrating digital technologies into clinical reasoning training and developing innovative approaches to preparing future doctors.