DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN HIGHER MEDICAL EDUCATION: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study explores the effectiveness and adoption of hybrid learning models as part of digital transformation in higher medical education. The focus is on the students of Health Care Management at the Faculty of Public Health, Medical University - Pleven, in the context of the Bulgarian regulatory and technological framework. METHODS: The questionnaire contained 17 closed-ended questions assessing satisfaction, preferences, perceived strengths and weaknesses, as well as self-rated outcomes. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. RESULTS: 61.9% of students expressed full support for the hybrid model. Key advantages were time flexibility (72.6%) and improved IT skills (66.1%), while key disadvantages were limited communication (58.3%) and poor feedback (50%). CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid learning proves to be a suitable and effective approach for postgraduate healthcare education. In the Bulgarian context, its broader application remains limited due to the absence of clear standards for online learning in medical fields and the clinical nature of core specialties. Further regulatory clarity, pedagogical refinement, and investment in digital infrastructure are essential for the responsible and sustainable integration of hybrid models.

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