Medical students filming an educational video in a simulation lab.

Lights, Camera, Healthcare: How Medical Students Are Revolutionizing Skills Training with Educational Videos

Reese Marlowe in Mind & Education August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Ditch the dusty textbooks! A new wave of medical students is harnessing the power of video to create dynamic, accessible, and confidence-boosting learning tools."

The traditional path of medical education is undergoing a dynamic transformation. Early exposure to procedures and competencies is essential for grounding the practical application of learned theory. Medical students are embracing the integration of technology and innovative teaching methods to enhance and accelerate their learning, while ensuring patient safety.

One particularly promising methodology is medical simulation, a safe and controlled environment where future doctors can repeatedly practice, hone their skills, and prepare for the complexities of real-world scenarios. Simulation not only allows for the safe repetition of procedures, but also immerses students in situations that require them to develop vital non-technical skills, such as effective communication, teamwork, collaboration, and sound decision-making.

Checklists and guides, breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps, have long been valuable tools in skills acquisition. Now, medical students are revolutionizing these tools by creating educational videos that combine the structure of a checklist with the visual power of multimedia, paving the way for a new era of medical education.

Lights, Camera, Education: Medical Students Take the Director's Chair

Medical students filming an educational video in a simulation lab.

Inspired by the potential of multimedia learning, two medical students embarked on a project to produce educational videos for their peers. Recognizing the effectiveness of short, focused tutorials, they set out to create videos that would:

The students carefully selected topics relevant to early medical training, focusing on essential skills in semiology (the study of signs and symptoms) and fundamental medical procedures. After consulting with faculty advisors to ensure accuracy and address potential challenges, they compiled a comprehensive list of topics, including:

Auscultation of Arterial Blood Pressure – Non-Invasive
Oropharyngeal Intubation
Sensory Function Testing
Motor Strength Test I & II
Motor Coordination and Balance Test
Cranial Nerve Examination
Deep Tendon Reflexes
Papanicolaou Examination

With the topics selected, the students moved into the production phase. Working in their university's simulation lab, they leveraged real medical equipment, simulated anatomical models, and even themselves as stand-in patients to create realistic scenarios. Using a digital camcorder and editing software, they filmed and edited each video, meticulously crafting each tutorial to be clear, concise, and engaging.

From Students, For Students: A New Vision for Medical Education

This project demonstrates the immense potential of student-led initiatives in medical education. By harnessing the power of video, medical students are not only enhancing their own learning but also creating valuable resources for their peers. These videos, readily accessible and easily digestible, can be used in classrooms, study groups, or for individual learning, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to master essential skills and build confidence.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/s0100-55022012000500019, Alternate LINK

Title: Elaboração De Vídeos Médicos Educacionais Para Treinamento De Habilidades De Estudantes Do Curso De Medicina

Journal: Revista Brasileira de Educação Médica

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: Felipe Teles Arruda, Allan Danek, Karen Cristine Abrão, Ana Paula Quilici

Published: 2012-09-01

Everything You Need To Know

How are medical students changing how medical skills are taught?

Medical students are now creating educational videos that demonstrate essential skills. These videos combine the detailed steps of a checklist with the engaging visual elements of multimedia, representing a significant advancement in medical education. These videos are readily accessible and easily digestible and can be used in classrooms, study groups, or for individual learning, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to master essential skills and build confidence.

What is the role of medical simulation in skills training, and what are its limitations?

Medical simulation offers a secure environment for future doctors to repeatedly practice and refine their skills, preparing them for the complexities of real-world scenarios. It goes beyond simple repetition, immersing students in situations that demand the development of crucial non-technical skills such as effective communication, teamwork, collaboration, and sound decision-making. However, simulation relies on resources and trained personnel, which might not always be available.

What specific medical topics did the students cover in their educational videos?

The students focused on essential skills in semiology (the study of signs and symptoms) and fundamental medical procedures. Specific topics included Auscultation of Arterial Blood Pressure – Non-Invasive, Oropharyngeal Intubation, Sensory Function Testing, Motor Strength Test I & II, Motor Coordination and Balance Test, Cranial Nerve Examination, Deep Tendon Reflexes, and Papanicolaou Examination.

What are the broader implications of student-created educational videos for the future of medical education?

The creation of educational videos by medical students has significant implications for medical education. It allows for the creation of accessible, engaging, and easily digestible learning resources. The videos can be used in classrooms, study groups, or for individual learning. It is important to ensure that these videos are regularly updated and validated by medical professionals to maintain accuracy and reflect current best practices.

What was the process of creating the educational videos by medical students?

The creation of these educational videos involved several key steps. First, students carefully selected topics relevant to early medical training, consulting with faculty advisors to ensure accuracy. Then, they used real medical equipment and simulated anatomical models in their university's simulation lab to create realistic scenarios. Finally, they filmed and edited each video using a digital camcorder and editing software, paying close attention to clarity, conciseness, and engagement. The entire process reflects the student-led initiative in medical education.