Collaborative online international learning in health professions education: A 10-year scoping review

In an increasingly globalised and interconnected healthcare landscape, the development of intercultural competence among healthcare professionals is essential. Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) presents a promising solution for offering international learning experiences without the physical barriers posed by traditional international education programs. This scoping review explored the existing literature on the implementation, effectiveness, and challenges of COIL in pre-registration health professions education.

A comprehensive scoping review was conducted using Arksey and O'Malley's five-stage framework, refined by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews. A detailed search strategy covered multiple databases from January 2014 to July 2024. Two independent reviewers screened the papers, and data extraction was carried out systematically to ensure accuracy and consistency.

A total of 35 publications were included. Key trends, gaps, and outcomes associated with COIL programs were identified. Findings indicated that COIL enhances students' cultural competence, communication skills, and global health awareness, though challenges included technological barriers, time zone coordination, and curriculum alignment. The review identified the need for standardised assessment methods and suggests long-term evaluations of COIL's impact on healthcare education.

By mapping the current landscape, this review provides insights into how COIL can be leveraged to prepare future healthcare professionals for a diverse and globalised workforce. An implementation framework derived from this review, supports institutions in establishing similar COIL programs.