The 2026 RIME foreword: a decade of Research in Medical Education (RIME): trends and future directions

Abstract

Since its inception in the 1950s, medical education research has evolved to become a distinct field with its own culture and traditions. Throughout this history, the Research in Medical Education (RIME) program has played an instrumental role in advancing the field by elevating the rigor of empirical studies and increasing the inclusivity of the research community. In this commentary, the authors—writing as members of the RIME program committee—reflect on the last decade of published articles in the RIME program (RIME articles) to serve as a lens for examining how medical education research has evolved from 2016-2025. The authors conducted a content analysis of all RIME articles exploring four key areas: topics, methodology, theory, and application to practice. A total of 135 RIME articles were reviewed. Assessment (n = 34, 25%), learning environment (n = 27, 20%), and instructional design (n = 21, 16%) were the most common topics. Qualitative research (n = 54, 40%) was the most frequent methodology, while quantitative studies declined in recent years and review articles became more prominent. Theory use increased substantially across the decade (from 25% in 2016 to 88% in 2025), whereas application to practice remained consistently represented. These findings suggest important patterns in the modern era of medical education research, including the increasing importance of qualitative research and the value of both theoretical grounding and practical application. As RIME and the Association of American Medical Colleges enter a period of structural transition, these findings offer an opportunity to reflect on how the field can continue advancing scholarly excellence while supporting inclusion, access, and the next generation of medical education researchers.