IMPLEMENTATION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES INTO THE SPHERE OF MEDICAL EDUCATION IN UKRAINE

The relevance of the proposed study stems from the urgent need to reform medical education in the context of the digital transformation of Ukrainian society, its integration into the global educational space, and the growing demands for digital literacy and self-directed learning among future healthcare professionals. The aim of the article is to analyse the current state of implementation of digital technologies, distance and blended learning in Ukrainian medical education, as well as to outline the main directions and mechanisms for its further development. The crucial objectives include: examination of the regulatory and legal framework for digitalisation; characterisation of contemporary digital educational technologies; investigation of the role of distance and blended learning formats, digital simulations and platforms in the formation of students’ professional knowledge and skills; and analysis of challenges related to funding, infrastructure, and academic staff development. The article considers the integration of information and communication platforms, open online courses, virtual simulators, augmented reality, and digital tools designed to support research-oriented tasks and the professional formation of medical students. The potential of digital technologies for enhancing the research capabilities of future healthcare specialists is explored, with particular attention given to the role of digital literacy, self-education, and the personalised support of individual educational trajectories. Special emphasis is placed on issues of digital monitoring of learning, professional development of teaching staff, digital support for graduate employment, and risks associated with the financing of digital initiatives. The study concludes that digital changes in medical education are systemic in nature and require comprehensive updates to curricular content, pedagogical practices, and management models. Further research is seen as necessary to develop effective digital solutions for the practical training of future medical professionals, particularly in the context of clinical placements, assessment of learning outcomes, and personalised and blended educational pathways.