Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Medical Student Academic Performance: The Tulane Experience

COVID-19 Implications on Clinical Clerkships and the Residency Application Process for Medical Students

“…Perhaps a more comparable scenario would be to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak of the early 2000s which forced medical school closures in both Hong Kong and Canada [7][8]. In response to canceled clerkships, many medical schools during that time successfully transitioned to videotaped vignettes, audiotaped recordings, or online chat rooms and webcasting to replace clinical experiences [9][10]. While simulation may provide alternate clinically related opportunities for medical schools facing the current COVID-19 pandemic, there is a lack of fidelity and realism with such learning methods.…”

“…In both of the aforementioned scenarios, medical students who were removed from clinical clerkships faced significant challenges. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, many students demonstrated a decline in performance on clinical course examinations, potentially due to external stressors [10]. Overwhelming external pressures during COVID-19 may also negatively affect student performance on clinical examinations.…”

“…Studies of Chinese college students during the COVID-19 pandemic have shown positive correlations between academic delays and anxiety symptoms [29]. From, an academic perspective, mental health distress in at-risk medical students has the potential to negatively impact academic performance [10,30]. Therefore, what is the enduring impact the psychological ramifications of COVID-19 on residency applications?…”

Crises and Turnaround Management: Lessons Learned from Recovery of New Orleans and Tulane University Following Hurricane Katrina

“…Following the hurricane and its resultant loss and destruction, the question was often asked: “Why save New Orleans?” 11 From an economic perspective, the answer was simple. The Port of New Orleans and the Port of South Louisiana in the nearby town of Laplace combine to form the largest port system in the world based on annual tonnage.…”

The new normal: Medical education during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic

“…One study reported that medical student performance declined following the restructuring of the curriculum in response to Hurricane Katrina. 1 The literature about the impact of global emergencies or disasters on medical students is somewhat limited, yet, it is important to consider how learners might be impacted at this time. First, nearly all teaching and learning has become virtual, including the efficient adoption of virtual technologies to deliver content to learners remotely or asynchronously, and the implementation of online assessment modalities.…”