Moving towards online rheumatology education in the era of COVID-19

Ahmed, Sakir; Zimba, Olena; Gasparyan, Armen Yuri

doi:10.1007/s10067-020-05405-9

Cited by 46 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…The COVID-19 pandemic has revolutionized the practice of clinical medicine in the United States and around the world [ 15 ] and created unique and complex challenges for ongoing rheumatologic education. The EULAR Working Group on Training has identified fundamental needs while pivoting towards virtual leaning, which include the need for frequent feedback to trainees, adequate time for quality observation, incorporating teamwork and professionalism into assessment systems and developing approaches in close proximity to clinical practices [ 16 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing rheumatology education during the COVID-19 pandemic

Bilal

Shanmugam

2021

Rheumatol Int

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, rheumatology educational programs around the world, face the daunting challenge of maintaining education for their trainees. Reduced in-person clinic exposures and social distancing requirements have significantly affected trainee education. Similar to programs around the USA, in early March 2020, our program was faced with an urgent need to pivot both our clinical and educational programs to virtual platforms. Within these limitations, we harnessed innovative educational models and restructured our curriculum to ensure adequate clinical and didactic exposure. We divided trainee's clinical rotations into four blocks, which include Inpatient consult service, Outpatient in-person and procedure clinics, Telehealth Clinics and Research/Elective week. By assigning specific rotations, we were able to ensure fellows were seeing adequate numbers of patients both through telemedicine and inperson while ensuring we complied with social distancing requirements. We further were able to ensure that trainee hands-on procedure training was not compromised. Acknowledging challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and learner engagement in virtual environment, we designed an innovative educational portfolio. Utilizing synchronous and asynchronous learning methods, we have developed multiple complementary educational initiatives including: Rocket Rheumatology, Board Games, At the Elbow, Radiology Reading Rheum, Ultrasound Buddies, The History Rheum, and Rapid-Fire Journal Club. Virtual learning methods will become a cornerstone of medical education moving forwards. The GW Division of Rheumatology has rapidly incorporated innovative educational tools into our curriculum. Our approach will help Rheumatology training programs across the globe enhance rheumatology training.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing rheumatology education during the COVID-19 pandemic

Bilal

Shanmugam

2021

Rheumatol Int

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“…Social media channels have become instrumental to the future of rheumatology education, with online journal clubs, more opportunities for interactive educational formats, and other benefits. 29 Though this study was conducted before the global spread of COVID-19, the pandemic has changed the fundamental delivery of rheumatology education, perhaps irrevocably.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Future Directions of Rheumatology Training According to Saudi Vision 2030: Recommendations From a Saudi Experts Meeting

Zaini¹,

Alrehaily²,

Alhazmi³

et al. 2020

OARRR

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Background Worldwide research anticipates that a current shortage of rheumatologists will exacerbate over the next decade, whereas the need for arthritis specialists will continue to escalate. Saudi Arabia (SA) also encounters a limited geographical distribution of rheumatologists and rheumatology fellowship training centres. Objective Reporting the Saudi rheumatologists’ advisory meeting conducted in Makkah, SA in January 2020 with the aim to discuss the “Saudi Vision 2030” for rheumatology training programs. Materials and Methods A meeting of Saudi rheumatology experts and consultants was conducted to address the future directions, challenges, and recommendations of rheumatology training. The 10th Rheumatology Practice Symposium was organised by Alzaidi Chair of Research in Rheumatic Diseases (ZCRD), and conducted in Makkah Commerce Chamber, Makkah, SA on January 28, 2020. More than 30 consultants and rheumatology fellows with five Saudi experts in the field of rheumatology assembled to form 10 recommendations that tackle rheumatology training challenges in SA. Results The meeting recommendations shed light on the clinical practice of rheumatology training in SA; challenges and opportunities in rheumatology fellowship programs; efforts of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) to design and implement a competent postgraduate rheumatology training; and challenges with trainers, trainee, and within training centres. Conclusion To address rheumatology challenges in SA, rheumatology consultants and fellows assembled to form 10 recommendations. The recommendations tackled the challenges of rheumatology fellowship programs and the efforts to implement a competent postgraduate rheumatology training. These recommendations are expected to lead us successfully to fulfil our ambition in the “Saudi Vision of 2030”.

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“…Ahmed et al have raised a timely and pertinent issue of a switch to a virtual model of education, including Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in Rheumatology to cope with these unprecedented times. As they rightly discuss, a lack of emotional connection may be a major impediment to delivering education by this approach [1]. This may translate into high drop-out rates.…”

Section: Dear Editormentioning

confidence: 99%