Wikipedia and Medical Education

TOMA/TXACOFP 17th Annual Convention


In an age where information is readily accessible, Wikipedia has emerged as a critical resource for medical students, professionals, and the general public seeking medical knowledge. This session explores how this widely used on line encyclopedia can be harnessed as a powerful educational tool. We will gain an understanding of Wikipedia's structure, the editorial process, and the mechanisms in place to ensure the accuracy of its medical content. We will explore how editing Wikipedia health information articles is being used in medical education, emphasizing the importance of critical appraisal skills to evaluate the reliability of on line information. Attendees will learn how to incorporate Wikipedia editing into their educational practices effectively. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with the knowledge to leverage Wikipedia editing as an educational resource, enhance their digital and information literacy skills, and contribute to the improvement of medical content on this global platform, thereby playing a vital role in its development.

Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to:

  1. Explore how the world uses Wikipedia for health information.
  2. Learn how medical school volunteers create, edit, and maintain Wikipedia health information articles.
  3. Discover how editing Wikipedia has become part of the medical education experience.