Purpose: Despite growing recognition of the critical importance of physician leadership in delivering safe healthcare, especially in light of the 2023 medical crisis and professional resistance in Korea, existing studies on leadership education have focused predominantly on countries with long-established leadership curricula. This study aims to assess the curricular content of Korean medical schools to provide a quantitative and qualitative baseline of medical leadership training in the undergraduate curriculum. Methods: We conducted a content analysis of undergraduate medical curricula from 19 Korean medical schools using the Medical Leadership Competency Framework (MLCF) as a guiding framework. Survey questionnaires were distributed to designated faculty at each institution, and 270 courses were analyzed, yielding 504 leadership-related codes that were categorized thematically across the five MLCF domains and by academic year. Results: Our analysis revealed that 228 codes (45.2%) fell within “Demonstrating personal qualities” and 75 codes (14.8%) within “Setting direction,” with predominant emphasis on medical ethics and law. Training in systems-based practice, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and team-based approaches was relatively limited. Substantial institutional variation existed, with only eight of 19 schools offering curricula covering all five MLCF domains. Most leadership content was delivered through isolated, single- semester courses rather than longitudinally integrated programs. Conclusion While Korean medical schools recognize certain leadership competencies, there is a need for more comprehensive and consistent integration of leadership development, particularly in teamwork and systems-based practice. We recommend longitudinal integration of leadership education across pre-clinical and clinical years to address evolving competencies at different training stages.

Longitudinal interprofessional education (IPE) is vital for developing collaborative practice-ready health professionals, yet its implementation and impact remain underexplored. This scoping review maps the current evidence on longitudinal IPE, examining implementation models, evaluated outcomes, and key facilitators and barriers. Following the Joanna Briggs Institute and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines, a systematic search of five databases from 2016 to March 2024 was conducted. Data from 45 included studies were thematically analyzed. Findings reveal that most longitudinal IPE programs are short-term and partially integrated, constrained primarily by meso-level administrative barriers such as scheduling conflicts and time constraints, rather than being truly longitudinal. Based on the interprofessional socialization framework, a significant “measurement gap” exists; evaluations predominantly focus on self-assessed interprofessional competencies and readiness for interprofessional learning, while largely overlooking interprofessional identity development and behavioral readiness for collaborative practice. Furthermore, an “interprofessional socialization paradox” suggests that longitudinal IPE must be intentionally designed to provide high-quality, repeated, and meaningful interprofessional experiences across the entire curriculum. This review also advocates the use of spiral curriculum equipped with authenticity of the learning context, particularly clinical exposure, to support dual identity development. The current longitudinal IPE landscape is fragmented, revealing a chasm between pedagogical goals and implementation reality. Progress requires a deliberate shift towards evidence-based models like spiral curricula grounded in authentic clinical contexts, supported by robust faculty development, the alignment of macro-level accreditation standards, and a research agenda focused on dual identity development and higher-level behavioral outcomes.

Purpose: This study aims to determine the mediating role of trust in the physician in the effect of the physician’s open communication on patients’ adherence to treatment. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 594 patients who applied to a public hospital in Turkey for healthcare services. Participants completed scales for physicians’ open communication, trust in physicians, and treatment adherence. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and structural equation modeling. SPSS and AMOS programs were used to analyze the research data. Results: Open communication of physicians was significantly associated with trust in physicians (r=0.752, p<0.01) and treatment adherence (r=0.612, p<0.01). Trust in physicians and treatment adherence were also significantly associated (r=0.671, p<0.01). Structural Equation Model and bootstrap analysis showed that trust in physicians fully mediated the relationship between open communication and treatment adherence (β=0.529; 95% confidence interval, 0.390–0.712). Conclusion This study found that open communication and trust increased patient adherence to treatment and confirmed that trust fully mediated adherence to treatment. Physicians’ open communication with patients increases patients’ trust in their physicians, thereby improving their treatment adherence. These findings demonstrate the importance of both physicians and medical students gaining competence beyond their technical competence to communicate effectively and build trust. In medical education, students should be given importance in acquiring behavioral skills.

Purpose: This developmental study explored the conceptual feasibility and applicability of a metaverse-based clinical assessment platform as a complementary tool to conventional objective structured clinical examinations in undergraduate medical education. Methods: A targeted literature review and expert consensus process were conducted to identify domains of clinical competence in which metaverse technologies could provide added value. Based on these findings, prototype virtual patient simulations were developed within a metaverse environment. Large language models (LLMs) were integrated to support dynamic, interactive history-taking simulations, and pilot modules for physical examination were also created. Results: Integration of LLMs into virtual patient scenarios enabled realistic, context-sensitive medical interviews, facilitating interactive dialogue between examinees and simulated patients. In contrast, physical examination modules faced technical limitations, particularly in replicating procedures requiring tactile or haptic feedback, such as palpation and percussion. Nevertheless, the metaverse environment enabled delivery of consistent and reproducible scenarios, supporting objective assessment of communication and diagnostic reasoning skills. Conclusion Metaverse-based simulations augmented by LLMs offer a promising approach to scalable and standardized clinical assessment, particularly within cognitive and interpersonal competency domains. Although current technological constraints limit the fidelity of physical examination simulations, rapid advancements in immersive and haptic technologies may help overcome these barriers in the near future. Further research is needed to evaluate the educational efficacy, validity, and feasibility of deploying such platforms in summative, high-stakes assessment contexts.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the training experiences and educational needs of personnel working at nationally designated infectious disease control institutions in South Korea. Specifically, it sought to identify the barriers encountered in infectious disease response, assess the perceived effectiveness of current training programs, and determine key competencies and tailored educational needs across occupational groups. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using focus group interviews with 34 participants, including healthcare and nonhealthcare personnel engaged in infectious disease control. Participants were recruited through snowball sampling. Data was collected over 5 weeks via online interviews, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Investigator triangulation and member checking were used to enhance the analytical rigor. Results: The participants reported that the current training program contributed to improved confidence, role clarity, and interdepartmental collaboration. However, multiple barriers were identified, including a lack of standardized scenarios, insufficient hands-on training, unclear guidelines, and low accessibility across roles. Key educational needs included scenario-based simulations, job-specific content, advanced clinical skills, psychological support, and interorganizational collaboration. Training preferences varied by job category, underscoring the need for differentiated role-based training modules. Conclusion These findings highlight the importance of shifting from theory-based to practice-oriented education on infectious disease responses. To build sustainable preparedness systems, training programs should be scenario-driven, repetitive, and psychologically supportive. Institutional policies must ensure flexibility, equity of access, and proper incentives for participation. Future efforts should prioritize the development of standardized competency-based curricula tailored to diverse occupational roles within infectious disease response systems.

Purpose: This study employed latent class analysis (LCA) to classify medical students based on their pre-admission characteristics and examine differences in academic performance, mental health, and post-graduation career paths. Methods: A total of 314 medical students who matriculated from 2015–2018 at a Korean medical school participated for this study. LCA was performed with their gender, region of origin, admission type, and gap years (i.e., a period for retaking the college entrance examination) as classification variables. Mental health was assessed using BDI-II (Beck Depression Inventory-II), SSI-Beck (Scale for Suicidal Ideation-Beck), and K-Scale (Korean Internet Addiction Scale). Academic outcomes and career paths were compared across latent classes through analysis of variance and regression analyses. Results: Three distinct latent classes were identified in the total sample (n=314): the rolling admission–regional talent group (25.0% of the total sample), the regular admission–male retaker group (57.3%), and the non-local female group (17.7%). The regular admission-male retaker group showed significantly higher internet over- dependency levels (p<0.001), lower academic performance (p<0.001), and higher grade repetition rates (p<0.05) than the others. The rolling admission-regional talent group had the highest proportion of students working at their alma mater-affiliated hospitals (p<0.05). Conclusion The research findings could present practical implications to the medical school systems because this research analyzed the mental health status, academic performance, and career paths based on the admission types of medical school students. Furthermore, the results imply that a specific policy and/or a student support system should be required for medical students’ achievement and their successful transition to career.

Purpose: Professional identity (PI) formation occurs over time through immersive social—digital and in-person—interactions. While digital social interactions may support the PI formation of medical students, their influence remains underexplored. This study aimed to describe the patterns and intensity of social media use and analyze its association with PI. Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted at a private medical school in Jakarta, Indonesia. All undergraduate medical students were invited to participate in this study. Data were collected using the Social Networking Activity Intensity Scale (SNAIS) and the MacLeod Clark Professional Identity Scale (MCPIS-9) questionnaire. Data were analyzed descriptively and statistically. Results: A total of 451 students participated in this study. Participants reported moderate overall social media use intensity (mean SNAIS=2.96±0.51), with higher use for entertainment than social interaction. The mean MCPIS-9 score was 3.76±0.44. Content engagement, measured using a content engagement index (CEI) reflecting the intensity of engagement with educational and informational content across selected social media activities, was generally low and driven mainly by browsing behaviors (CEI=0.51±0.64). Weak but significant correlations were observed between CEI and MCPIS-9 (ρ=0.139, p=0.003) and between SNAIS and MCPIS-9 (r=0.102, p=0.030). One-way analysis of variance revealed significant differences in MCPIS-9 scores by duration of use for WhatsApp and X, but not for other platforms. Conclusion Participants mainly used social media for entertainment purposes. Social media use intensity and content engagement showed weak but significant associations with PI.

Purpose: Diagnostic errors contribute to patient safety risks, often arising from cognitive failures in clinical reasoning. Preceptorship is thought to improve residents’ clinical reasoning. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a preceptorship program on clinical reasoning among pediatric residents. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted from March 2025 to May 2025 at Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia. All pediatric residents were randomly allocated into two groups. The intervention group received a scheduled preceptorship program, while the control group continued with standard supervision. After 8 weeks, clinical reasoning skills were assessed using the Script Concordance Test (SCT). Data were analyzed using comparation test. End-of-program questionnaires were also reported. Results: Total 41 residents completed the study. Baseline characteristics did not differ between groups (p>0.05). Mean overall SCT scores ranged from 55% to 90% of the maximum possible score. Among 14 topics, hematology & oncology was the only topic that showed a significant difference in SCT scores between the intervention group (median, 14.28; interquartile range [IQR], 12.78–15.08) and the control group (median, 12.75; IQR, 11.49–13.63). Participants reported that preceptorship made learning more structured and interactive but noted barriers including busy preceptor schedules and lack of standardized teaching materials. Conclusion The preceptorship program resulted in a significant improvement in only one topic, which may reflect suboptimal implementation of the intervention. Despite this, participants reported positive perceptions, indicating good acceptability. More intensive and consistent preceptorship may be required to achieve measurable improvements in clinical reasoning.