Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40652222›Full record

ArticleBMC medical education2025

Navigating challenges in medical english learning: leveraging technology and gamification for interactive education - a qualitative study.

Zahra Zolfaghari, Zahra Karimian, Nahid Zarifsanaiey, Amir Yousef Farahmandi

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC medical education, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Zahra ZolfaghariDepartment of E-Learning in Medical Sciences, Virtual School and Center of Excellence in e-Learning, Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2986-4262
Zahra KarimianDepartment of E-Learning in Medical Sciences, Virtual School and Center of Excellence in e-Learning, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Karimian@sums.ac.ir.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5631-6448
Nahid ZarifsanaieyDepartment of E-learning, Virtual School, Center of Excellence for e-Learning in Medical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Amir Yousef FarahmandiDepartment of English Language, School of Paramedical Sciences, Foreign Language, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTeaching and learning English for Medical Purposes is crucial for medical students, especially in non-English-speaking countries, as it facilitates effective communication, access to global medical literature, and participation in international medical events. However, medical English education faces numerous challenges. This qualitative study explores the challenges faced by medical educators and students in Iran and proposes strategies to enhance medical English education through technology and gamification.

methodA thematic content analysis was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 13 medical English instructors and 10 medical students from various Iranian universities. Data were collected from September 2023 to February 2024. The interviews focused on challenges in teaching and learning medical English, the role of technology, and potential improvements. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes and sub-themes.

resultsThe study identified six main themes: (1) Instructor-related challenges (e.g., knowledge gaps, teaching methodology, and resistance to technology), (2) Student-related challenges (e.g., low language proficiency, pronunciation difficulties, and lack of engagement), (3) Curriculum and content issues (e.g., outdated materials, lack of speaking practice), (4) Organizational challenges (e.g., unclear policies, resistance to technological change), (5) Technology-enhanced learning (e.g., inadequate infrastructure, lack of interactive platforms), and (6) Recommendations for improvement (e.g., joint teaching, gamification, and blended learning).

conclusionThe study indicated the need for a comprehensive approach to medical English education in Iran, emphasizing instructor training, interactive learning, updated curricula, and technology integration. By addressing these challenges, medical English education can be significantly improved, allowing future physicians to become proficient in linguistic skills which improves the globalized healthcare environment.

Indexed as

Educational TechnologyEducation, MedicalLanguageCurriculumFaculty, MedicalFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicIranLearningMaleQualitative ResearchStudents, MedicalEnglish for medical purposesGamificationMedical educationMedical englishTechnology integration

Identifiers

PMID40652222
PMCPMC12255984

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.