« Back to Search
COVID-19 VLOG (Virtual Learning in Obstetrics & Gynecology): Clerkship Students’ Attitudes and Perceptions on Distance Learning
Purpose: The Uniformed Services University’s Obstetrics & Gynecology (OBGYN) clerkship developed a virtual, multi-media platform to promote individualized learning and solidify core concepts for learners to prepare for their clerkships.
Background: As the world faced an unprecedented challenge with COVID-19, medical students were withdrawn from their clinical clerkships. In response to this disruption in clinical education, medical schools were pressed to find innovative ways to continue engaging students academically. Traditionally an integrated model, many medical schools rapidly pivoted their curricula to allow for distance learning.
Methods: A 4-day multi-media curriculum was developed based on 13 core topics. Self-paced study options included text reading, podcasts, and/or videos complimented by case-based practice and interactive virtual group discussions lead by faculty preceptors. At the end of the course, the learners were asked to complete a survey to assess their attitudes and perceptions on the curriculum.
Results: Ninety-eight percent of survey respondents reported that the curriculum allowed for individualization of their education; 96% of learners reported that the course improved their fundamental understanding of OBGYN topics; and, 88% responded that they felt better prepared to start or resume their core clerkship after this course. Over 50% of respondents reported that they would complete this course again if choosing between a traditional approach and this distance-learning curriculum.
Discussions: A virtual OBGYN clerkship medical education curriculum was designed for students in lieu of clinical work during the COVID-19 pandemic. This self-paced, multi-media course was highly revered by students and can be easily reproduced in the future.
Topics:
CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2021, Student, Faculty, Clerkship Director, Clerkship Coordinator, Medical Knowledge, Systems-Based Practice & Improvement, GME, UME, Lecture, Problem-Based Learning, Team-Based Learning, General Ob-Gyn,