Analysis on the scale and structure of medical technology education and their trend of change at China's regular higher educational institutions

doi:10.3760/cma.j.cn115259-20240403-00346

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives To study the scale and structure of medical technology education and their trends of change at China's regular higher educational institutions (RHEI). Methods Using data provided by Institute of Medical Education of Peking University, descriptive analysis were performed in March 2024 to study the number of RHEIs that operated an academic program in medical technology education, number of students majoring in medical technology as well as their composition and distribution between 2014 and 2022. Results The number of RHEIs that operated an academic program in medical technology education increased from 389 to 551, the number of enrollments from 86 000 to 159 000, the number of graduates from 56 000 to 131 000. In 2022, junior college and bachelor graduates accounted for 62.8%(82 501/131 303) and 36.8%(48 354/131 303), respectively. As to RHEIs that operated an academic program in medical technology education, those located in eastern, middle, and western China accounted for 40.3%(222/551), 31.8%(175/551) and 27.9%(154/551), respectively; public and private institutions accounted for 69.3%(382/551) and 30.7%(169/551), respectively. The number of enrollments of three bachelor programs accounted for 73.0%(37 526/51 420) of all admitted undergraduate students in this field, which were medical laboratory technology, rehabilitation therapy, and medical imaging technology. Conclusions The scale of medical technology education expanded, and educational institutions diversified. Nevertheless, some issues may be of concern, such as low structure of academic degrees and imbalance in geographic distribution. Further top-level design is needed for the cultivation of medical technology talents and regional balanced development also needs to be strengthened.

Key words: Undergraduate medical education, Medical technology education, Scale, Structure

CLC Number:

Hou Jianlin, Li Jun, Zhang Yibao, Wang Weimin. Analysis on the scale and structure of medical technology education and their trend of change at China's regular higher educational institutions[J]. Chinese Journal of Medical Education, 2025, 45(8): 582-587.

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