Darwinian digitalization: modern evolutions in medical education

Medical education has continuously evolved alongside advances in science and technology, from the apprenticeship model of ancient Greece to the university-based, research-driven systems shaped by Abraham Flexner’s reforms. The current digital era marks another major inflection point in this evolution. This review explores how online learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) are transforming undergraduate medical education (UME). The literature demonstrated that hybrid and online learning models, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have comparable or superior outcomes to traditional learning, with increased accessibility, flexibility, and student satisfaction. Meanwhile, though AI has increased in popularity for both the public and in medical administration, there has been a lack of teaching about AI within the medical curriculum. Furthermore, AI has become more integrated into simulation training, which can lead to more realistic simulations. However, challenges persist, including limited faculty expertise, absence of curricular frameworks, and concerns about overreliance on technology. POCUS represents another frontier in the integration of technology into medical training, providing real-time anatomical and physiological insights that enhance clinical reasoning and bridge theory with practice. As medicine continues its digital evolution, the challenge for educators will be to balance technological innovation with an already packed medical curriculum.