Designing a Digital Education Track for Medical Residents Using the Four Component Instructional Design Model

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Digital Learning
• Instructional Design

Background:

• Medical educators face challenges teaching in demanding clinical settings.
• Residents increasingly prefer digital learning resources, yet guidance is limited.
• Adapting medical education to digital platforms requires innovative teaching strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement a Digital Education Track (DET) for internal medicine residents.
• To provide a curriculum for creating digital teaching materials using the 4C/ID model.
• To equip residents with foundational and hands-on digital education skills.

Main Methods:

• Implemented a two-year DET program using the Four Component Instructional Design (4C/ID) model.
• Included a one-week bootcamp and monthly sessions for residents.
• Employed scaffolded learning, supportive information, just-in-time guidance, and part-task practice.

Main Results:

• Seventeen residents graduated from the DET, reporting increased self-efficacy in digital teaching.
• Residents produced significant digital scholarship: 22 podcasts, 16 social media threads, 25 infographics, and 20 whiteboard animations.
• Created digital resources were rated as high caliber, with some influencing teaching behaviors and patient care.

Conclusions:

• The DET provides a scalable model for scaffolding digital instructional design skills in medical education.
• This program addresses the need for effective digital teaching in response to technological advancements and evolving learner needs.
• Future plans include tracking long-term outcomes and integrating AI tools into the curriculum.