Science and technology are evolving, highlighting the importance for medical students to be equipped with the tools and skill set required to excel in a career in the healthcare industry. Ross University School of Medicine (Ross Med) has embraced the future of medical school technology, investing in high-fidelity teaching instruments to help students prepare to treat patients in a clinical setting. Simulation-based learning, virtual reality, and interactive learning modules are just the beginning of our innovations in medical education.
As a Ross Med student, you’ll have access to highly advanced tools that foster adaptive learning throughout your medical education, including:
Ross Med’s Doctor of Medicine (MD) program is home to seven high-fidelity patient simulators that mimic various medical conditions you may encounter in the field. These manikins serve as pivotal innovations in medical education, allowing you to assess medical histories, examine current patient conditions, and develop clinical reasoning skills in a low-risk environment, encouraging greater confidence when interacting with living patients.
Patient simulators aren’t simply static figures that resemble people. They’re lifelike technological models that can speak, display various vital signs, and even respond to treatment. These manikins are your introduction to patient interaction, allowing you to hone your skills before advancing into the field.
The use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in medical training can help you gain valuable experience in a simulated environment to develop critical thinking skills before diagnosing and treating real patients.
Virtual and augmented reality programs offer an economical alternative to cadavers and biological models, particularly for theoretical learning modules. They provide practical, responsive anatomical displays. VR and AR can realistically demonstrate how organ systems work in real time, display lifelike three-dimensional models, and even aid in surgical training. These systems can also form the foundation for adaptive learning in medical school by identifying gaps in knowledge and reformatting learning protocols to bridge these gaps.
Ross Med’s Simulation Institute is at the heart of our innovations in medical education. This facility consists of two distinct learning environments where you may encounter various aspects of the medical field.
The Simulation Center houses high-fidelity manikins like the Laerdal SimMan® 3G and Harvey, the heart sound simulator, to help you build your proficiency in critical tasks, such as taking medical histories, checking vital signs, and developing interpersonal communication tactics.
In the Clinical Skills Exam Lab, you will work with standardized patients—individuals who are specially trained to act as patients—to practice your assessment skills, hone your problem-solving abilities, and sharpen your diagnostic aptitude in a controlled environment. This exposure is an excellent opportunity to engage in clinical reasoning without risking the health of your patients. You can consider it a stepping stone between working with simulators and actual patients who need your medical expertise.
The Simulation Institute is accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare in 2013, boasting over a decade of excellence in the field.
While the COVID-19 pandemic presented a number of challenges to medical students and teaching staff, it also created the opportunity to adapt to new techniques. In reference to these changes, Dr. Seeth Vivek, MD, DLFAPA, associate dean of clinical sciences and chair of psychiatry, said, “This generation of students will be better trained for telemedicine and the utilization of technology.” One Ross Med alumnus has even developed an affordable telehealth service to meet the needs of vulnerable patients.
Today, telemedicine is one of the most prevalent innovations in medical education and practice, connecting patients and healthcare providers from a distance. At Ross Med, you can use virtual patient consultations and numerous digital health tools to assess, examine, and treat patients from afar. Instructors also offer a solid foundation in the ethical considerations and best practices for remote patient care, including:
Ross Med incorporates various AI-powered platforms that customize your education based on your performance. These systems create a personalized learning experience by assessing your unique strengths and weaknesses, providing automatic feedback, and tailoring content to optimize learning efficiency.
Many Ross Med instructors emphasize the Master Adaptive Learner (MAL) framework—a key innovation in medical education—in their coursework. The MAL concept encourages lifelong learning among medical professionals through self-regulated learning, adaptive expertise, and personal reflection. Continuous assessment and feedback loops provide real-time insights into performance, helping you identify gaps in knowledge and adjust your study strategies accordingly.
When it comes to innovations in medical education, technology isn’t the only focus. Studies have shown that interprofessional education (IPE) is a fundamental element of medical training, as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other care providers must communicate clearly and effectively for successful patient-centered care. Ross Med integrates interprofessional training into its curriculum to help students develop essential communication skills and master the art of team building.
Before you can successfully treat individual patients, it’s important to grasp the underlying factors affecting health at the population level. Understanding the complexities of healthcare systems, patient safety, and quality improvement is critical to holistic medical care.
In 2022, Ross Med launched its Community Medicine program to foster greater cultural awareness and give students valuable insight into the socioeconomic determinants of health. Through classroom activities, research, health promotion projects, and experiential learning, you may have the opportunity to serve vulnerable populations and fill a gap in public health.
Ross University School of Medicine is shaping the future of medical education through groundbreaking technological innovations and teaching methodologies, such as high-fidelity patient simulators, adaptive learning, and an emphasis on community health.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward a fulfilling medical career, explore our admission requirements or apply today!
The information and material contained in this article and on this website are for informational purposes only and should not be considered, or used in place of, professional medical advice. Please speak with a licensed medical provider for specific questions or concerns. Ross Med is not responsible for the information maintained or provided on third-party websites or external links.
