Teaching undergraduate medical students virtual consultation skills: a mixed-methods interventional before-and-after study

Abstract

ObjectivesTo evaluate the impact and transferability of a novel teaching method on virtual communication skills for final year medical students.DesignMixed-methods, interventional before-and-after study.SettingNHS Lanarkshire, Scotland.Participants21 final year medical students on their obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) placement from September to December 2020.InterventionsA two-part teaching session on virtual communication skills.Main outcome measuresSelf-reported confidence in conducting consultations preteaching and post-teaching, exposure to virtual consultations, usefulness of teaching and transferability to primary care. Data were collected using preteaching and post-teaching evaluation tools and an online survey.ResultsOf 21 participants, 1 student did not attend the second session so was excluded from post-teaching evaluation results and the online survey. Preteaching results were collected from 21 participants and post-teaching results from 20. Mean confidence scores increased across all domains post-teaching. Mean confidence in opening the consultation increased from 2.67 (95% CI 2.21 to 3.13) to 4.70 (95% CI 4.50 to 4.90); history-taking from 3.38 (95% CI 3.07 to 3.69) to 4.45 (95% CI 4.19 to 4.71); decision-making and forming a management plan from 2.62 (95% CI 2.28 to 2.96) to 3.90 (95% CI 3.66 to 4.14) and closing the consultation from 2.81 (95% CI 2.45 to 3.17) to 4.60 (95% CI 4.38 to 4.81). There was no change in exposure to virtual consultations during O&G placement. 16 (80%) participants responded to the online survey; 14 (87.5%) rated the sessions ‘very useful’ and all 16 considered them worthwhile continuing. 12 (75%) had the opportunity to practise virtual consultations on general practitioner, mostly via telephone.ConclusionsWe found that teaching students virtual consultation skills improved short term confidence and were transferable to primary care placements. Future research is suggested to assess this teaching model following adaptation and incorporation into medical education and training across specialties and grades. It would be useful to evaluate the impact on competence post intervention through observed skills.

Enseñanza Virtual Post Pandemia en el Perú: Revisión Sistemática

“…En esta era postpandemia, la reestructuración del ámbito educativo es de gran trascendencia, especialmente en lo que respecta a la enseñanza superior. La incursión de plataformas virtuales ha generado un replanteamiento de las técnicas de enseñanza, pues el proceso de aprendizaje debe mantenerse robusto y efectivo a pesar de las distancias físicas (Booth et al, 2022). La percepción estudiantil sobre este cambio es de extremada relevancia, ya que reafirma la necesidad de una integración exitosa de instrucción presencial y a distancia, requiriendo infraestructuras sólidas, altas competencias digitales y la adaptabilidad de las prácticas académicas a este nuevo escenario (Naimi et al, 2023) Con la superación de la crisis sanitaria global, las estrategias educativas han sufrido alteraciones significativas, marcadamente identificables en la transición hacia prácticas como los laboratorios virtuales.…”

Training primary care staff in delivering the primary care consultation remotely: a systematic review

“…Within postgraduate medical training, consultation skills education has focused on face-to-face consulting (12,13). By contrast, medical schools are increasingly training students in using remote consultation (14). Primary care clinicians are expected to train medical students in delivering remote consultations (15) despite not necessarily being supported to develop these skills.…”

“…12 , 13 By contrast, medical schools are increasingly training students in using remote consultation. 14 Primary care clinicians are expected to train medical students in delivering remote consultation 15 despite not necessarily being supported to develop these skills. There is likely a knowledge gap for the cohort of primary care clinicians currently training and practising.…”