The 'Dark Side' of Technology in Medical Education

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Innovation in medical education has almost become synonymous with technology and its use in the field is growing exponentially. The benefits of technology-enhanced learning (TEL) are manifold; however, in this article some of the more contentious, potentially hazardous and oft unexplored aspects of TEL are highlighted - we have termed these the 'dark side' of technology in medical education. To further advance the application of technology in medical education, we contend that academics and educators need to turn their attention to the 'dark side' to complement the traditional focus on breakthroughs and innovation. Shedding light on the 'dark side' of TEL will help educators to develop a more nuanced understanding of the risks and benefits of the technology, that will then facilitate more judicious use of TEL in their teaching. Thus, within this article we outline some key areas for consideration, highlight barriers to exploring these and consider how we might shine a light on the 'dark side' of technology in medical education.