Background Medical curricula are constantly evolving in response to the needs of society, accrediting bodies and developments in education and technology. The integration of blended learning modalities has challenged traditional methods of teaching, offering new prospects in the delivery of medical education. The purpose of this review is to explore how medical students adapt their learning behaviours in a Blended Learning environment to become more independent and self-regulated, in addition to highlighting potential avenues to enhance the curriculum and support student learning. Methods Using the approach described by Levac et al . (2010), which builds on Arksey and O’Malley’s framework, we conducted a literature search of the following databases: MEDLINE (Ovid), ERIC, EBSCO, SCOPUS and Google Scholar, utilising key terms and variants of “medical student’, ‘self-regulated learning’ and ‘blended learning’. The search yielded 305 studies which were further charted and screened according to the Joanna Briggs Institute. Results Forty-four studies were identified and selected for inclusion in this review. After full analysis of these studies, underpinned by Self-regulation theory, five major concepts associated with students’ learning behaviours in a Blended Learning environment were identified: Scaffolding of instructional guidance may support self-regulated learning; Self-regulated learning enhances academic performance; Self-regulated Learning improves study habits through resource selection; Blended learning drives student motivation and autonomy; and the Cognitive apprenticeship approach supports Self-regulated learning. Conclusion This review uncovers medical students’ learning behaviours within a Blended learning environment which is important to consider for curricular adaptations and student support.

Background A blended learning environment is multifaceted and widely used in medical education. However, there is no validated instrument for exploring students’ learning in a blended learning environment in medical programs. This study aimed to develop and validate an instrument for exploring how medical students learn in an undergraduate medical program that employs a blended learning approach. Method Using Artino’s seven step approach, we developed a questionnaire to investigate how medical students learn in a blended learning environment. For pilot testing, 120 students completed this 19-item questionnaire. These 19-items were evaluated for construct and convergent validity across an expert medical education panel. Further item testing was analysed with principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation for item reduction and factor estimation. Hence, validity was thoroughly addressed to ensure the questionnaire was representative of the key focus questions. Cronbach’s Alpha was used for item reliability testing, and Spearman’s Rho was used for the correlation between the questionnaire items and the extensively used MSLQ. Hence, validity and reliability were systematically addressed. Results Exploratory Factor analysis identified four factors F1 and F3: Resources: Accessibility & Guidance (14-items), F2: Learning behaviours: Social and Contextual (5-items), and F4: Motivational factors: Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation (4-items). Internal consistency and reliability tests were satisfactory (Cronbach’s Alpha ranged from 0.764 to 0.770). Conclusions The resulting Blended Learning Questionnaire (BLQ) was determined to be a reliable instrument to explore undergraduate medical students’ learning in a blended learning environment.