Purpose: To determine if a virtual patient (VP) presenting
longitudinally with gynecologic and obstetrics issues to teach key topics on a
virtual clerkship (VC) would be well-received by students and helpful for
learning clinical skills
Background: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020-21 clinical clerkships were delayed, beginning with a 12-week virtual clerkship (VC) in which each core specialty provided 2 weeks of remote instruction.
Methods: The OBGYN VC included 1 week each of gynecology and obstetrics. Each day focused on one topic that was introduced with pre-readings and reinforced with case-based didactics. We created a VP, “Samantha Velazquez,” for whom we managed gynecologic issues as well as a full pregnancy from initial visit to delivery in small-group (SG) format over 2 weeks. Students practiced oral presentations and note-writing for “Samantha’s” care with their SG preceptor. We utilized clerkship and dean’s surveys, to assess whether this was a valuable learning structure.
Results: Of 154 VC students, 133 and 58 students responded to the dean’s and clerkship surveys, respectively. The quality of the VC was rated a 3.14 (max 4). 77.5% and 84.5% of students reported that they were either very or extremely satisfied with the VC and the use of the VP, respectively. 75.9% of students found the clinical skills assignments were valuable for practicing oral presentations and note-writing. 69.0% of students felt more prepared for clinicals after the VC.
Discussions: Using a virtual patient to demonstrate longitudinal OBGYN care is an effective way to teach key concepts and skills remotely to clerkship students.
Topics: CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2021, Faculty, Clerkship Director, Clerkship Coordinator, Osteopathic Faculty, Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Professionalism, Systems-Based Practice & Improvement, Interpersonal & Communication Skills, Practice-Based Learning & Improvement, UME, Virtual Patient, Lecture, Independent Study, Problem-Based Learning, General Ob-Gyn,
Padma Kandadai, MD, MPH, Boston University School of Medicine; Ebonie Woolcock, MD, MPH
