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Adapting Education in Response to COVID-19: A Novel Telehealth Education Curriculum (TEC) for the Ob/Gyn Clerkship

Purpose: We created, implemented, and evaluated a novel Telehealth Education Curriculum (TEC) for the Ob/Gyn rotation at New York Medical College during COVID-19. The TEC included supervised telehealth patient encounters via video conference and a virtual Objective Structured Clinical Encounter (vOSCE) designed to simulate a telehealth encounter.

 

Background: Telehealth is beneficial and cost-effective for healthcare delivery. It improves patient outcomes, access, and enhances social support. Despite its advantages and expanded use during the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth is not included in many medical school curricula.

 

Methods: We measured student perceptions of the TEC via 4-point Likert surveys administered via SurveyMonkey. Participation was voluntary and responses were de-identified.

 

Results: The response rate was 92% for both the Telehealth (33/36) and vOSCE (48/52) surveys. Seventy-six (25/33) percent strongly or moderately agreed that telehealth and in-person patient encounters have similar educational value. Eighty-three percent (40/48) agreed the vOSCE provided a valuable patient interaction. Ninety-seven percent (32/33) agreed the telehealth encounters should continue during COVID-19 restrictions versus 82% (27/33) agreeing they should be incorporated into the curriculum post COVID-19.

 

Discussions: Most students responded that the TEC should continue during COVID-19 but there was less agreement regarding weather it should be incorporated into the Ob/Gyn clerkship permanently. We found vOSCEs to be an effective method for teaching telehealth to medical students. Key challenges identified by students included adjusting to a virtual format, lack of body language, and communicating empathy virtually. Positive takeaways included practice with telemedicine and a new opportunity for continued clinical education during COVID-19.

Topics: CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2021, Student, Faculty, Clerkship Director, Clerkship Coordinator, Interpersonal & Communication Skills, Practice-Based Learning & Improvement, UME,

General Information


Intended
Audience
Student,Faculty,Clerkship Director,Clerkship Coordinator,
Competencies
Addressed
Interpersonal & Communication Skills,Practice-Based Learning & Improvement,
Educational
Continuum
UME,
Educational
Focus
Clinical Focus

Author Information

Jasmin Mahabamunuge, BA, New York Medical College; Lauren Farmer, MD; Joanna Pessolano, MD; Nisha Lakhi, MD

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