Teaching Telemedicine in the COVID-19 Era: a National Survey of Internal Medicine Clerkship Directors

• DOI: 10.1007/s11606-021-07061-4
• Publication Date: 2021-09-07T18:09:59Z
• Authors: Bruce L. Henschen; Harish Jasti; Michael Kisielewski; Amber T. Pincavage; Diane Levine
• Keywords: Pandemic; Thematic Analysis; Clinical clerkship; Graduate medical education

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine (TM) experiences in undergraduate medical education were uncommon. When students' clinical interrupted due TM provided opportunities for students participate care while adhering social distancing guidelines. To assess prevalence of internal medicine (IM) core clerkship experience prior during interruption clerkships, and following return in-person activities at US schools. The Clerkship Directors Internal Medicine (CDIM) survey is a national, annually recurring thematic IM directors. 2020 focused on effects including section about TM. was fielded online from August through October 2020. A total 137 directors Liaison Committee Medical Education fully accredited US/US territory–based 10-item assessing student participation assessment TM-related competencies. response rate 73.7% (101/137 schools). No respondents reported curricular pandemic. During interruption, 39.3% clerkship, whereas 24.7% such occurring time they completed survey. higher percentage clerkships with an ambulatory component be important competency compared those without component. extent which used across increased substantially when removed duties as COVID-19. returned duties, continued, suggesting continued value part formal clerkship. Curricula faculty development will needed support education.