Medical Student Participation in Otolaryngology Telemedicine Clinic During COVID‐19: A Hidden Opportunity

Abstract

The undergraduate medical student educational experience was greatly altered this year due to coronavirus disease 2019. Many otolaryngology departments increased use of telemedicine technologies to avoid the need for in-person contact. Medical student incorporation into telemedicine clinics is important to increase their comfort with this format of patient care and to continue student exposure to the field of otolaryngology. The technical and logistical aspects of student inclusion in telemedicine clinics at our institution are detailed. While telemedicine is still an evolving tool for experienced practitioners, there are likely advantages to the use of telemedicine patient visits for student learning. These may include closer working relationships between student and preceptor, as well as increased opportunities for student observation and feedback. Medical students should not assume telemedicine experiences are of inferior educational quality to in-person patient interactions. Future research should investigate ways telemedicine could enhance student learning.

A scoping review on adaptations of clinical education for medical students during COVID-19

“…Adding to previous reviews, we found reports using telemedicine to overcome the challenges in clinical education amidst the pandemic disruption ( Table 2 ). 17 papers [ 8 , 9 , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] ] described the use of telemedicine as an educational tool mostly for clerkship rotations but three also included pre-clinical year students. Whilst telemedicine was mainly implemented in university hospitals, six programs were also executed in the community.…”

“… Author Key findings Clinical competencies Site Specialty Country Dawoud et al [ 8 ] Students guided through curated surgical video content of select neurosurgical procedures by faculty. Students joined telemedicine clinics observing and participating after prior completion of online telehealth training modules 2,3,4,9,11,12 Univ Surgery US Pellegrini et al [ 9 ] 1-on-1 attending and 4th yr. med student telemedicine clinic from available exam room. Two computers to access electronic health records.…”

“…At an ophthalmology telemedicine clinic, third and fourth-year students took histories, performed focused ophthalmic examinations, presented the findings to the faculty, and received 5-minute feedback sessions [ 10 ]. Pellegrini et al [ 9 ] described teaching of fourth-year medical students during their otolaryngology telemedicine outpatient clinics. Rupley et al [ 11 ] implemented three obstetric projects where students provided: 1) public health and access information to vulnerable patients; 2) telehealth outreach to antepartum and post-partum patients scheduled for telehealth visits; and 3) post-partum outreach interdisciplinary efforts.…”

“…Physical examinations techniques & clinical signs demonstrations by tutors. NA perspective NA Paul et al [ 24 ] Integration of Technology in Medical Education on Primary Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Students' Viewpoint JMIR Med Educ GB 2020 Clinical Com FM online™ real Community care medicine involved final year students in telemedicine clinics and provided online small group teachings NA perspective NA Pellegrini et al [ 9 ] Medical Student Participation in Otolaryngology Telemedicine Clinic During COVID-19: A Hidden Opportunity Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg US 2020 Clinical Univ Surg online™ real 1-on-1 attending and 4th yr med student telemedicine clinic from available exam room. Two computers to access electronic health records.…”

Practice of Telehealth in Otolaryngology: A Scoping Review in the Era of COVID‐19

“…51,[57][58][59] Finally, virtual telementoring initiatives have fostered continuity in resident and medical student training. [60][61][62][63]…”