According to a recent study conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, hybrid education is the future of medical education in India.

The structured virtual group discussion (sVGD) format was found to be more effective and interactive than traditional virtual learning. This innovation could serve as a model for implementing small-group teaching for undergraduate and postgraduate students in a variety of specialties.

The global Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted traditional modes of learning, including medical education. The pandemic posed challenges in maintaining student interactivity, particularly in the context of medical education. As a result, novel approaches to promoting effective academic learning were required.

The sVGD method is a novel approach to medical education. It involved structured supervised and unsupervised interactions that led to students' active participation. When compared to traditional virtual group discussions, the students thought sVGD was a more effective format.

The AIIMS study's findings were published in a reputable international journal of medical education and were awarded the Association of Physiologists and Pharmacologists' best research paper for the development of newer techniques (Dev Raj Bajaj Award) in 2021.