scholarly journals O36 The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on undergraduate medical education: a survey of students’ safety and satisfaction during breast surgery clinical placement

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rehab Gasiea ◽  
Rayhan Gasiea ◽  
Christina Yip

Abstract Introduction COVID-19 is affecting all medical education and training. The University used in the collection of data suspended all clinical placement from mid-March 2020, resuming in-person teaching from September. To enable social distancing, the medical school and Breast Unit introduced: 1. one student per clinician per clinical activity (3-hours), 2. online learning (1-hr) and patient exposure (2 hours) in some clinical activities, 3. remote learning via Teams, and 4. personal protective equipment. Method We sent a 24-question survey to 31, 3rd and 4th year, students, who had breast surgery clinical placement between 07/09/20 and 18/12/20. The aim was to assess whether clinical activities could still feasibly be carried out, the effectiveness of COVID-19 protection, and students’ learning satisfaction. Result Our survey achieved a 65% response-rate. Over two-thirds of students had at least 3 days’ clinical placement, attending clinics, theatre, mammography, multidisciplinary team meetings and a 3-hr lecture via Teams. 90% of students had face-to-face patient interaction and 70% conducted physical examinations. All students were provided with hand-gel and masks and, at clinics, 35% of students were provided with face-shields. None of the students reported COVID-19 related symptoms during or after placement. 85% of students felt safe during their clinical placement and 95% reported satisfaction with the quality of teaching. Conclusion Notwithstanding COVID-19 restrictions, a blend of face-to-face with online clinical teaching can be safely delivered. Take-home Message Notwithstanding COVID-19 restrictions, a blend of face-to-face with online clinical teaching can be safely delivered.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Thomas ◽  
S Suleiman ◽  
M Allen ◽  
M Hameed ◽  
A Ghaffar ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundCOVID-19 pandemic has affected all dimensions of day to day life across the world and medical education was no exception. In Qatar, two institutions provide undergraduate medical education; Qatar University - College of medicine and Weill Cornell Medical College, Qatar and post graduate medical education is provided by tertiary care public hospitals under Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) through Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education -International (ACGME-I) accredited residency and fellowship programs. With this study we aimed to understand the impact of nationwide restrictions on medical education in Qatar.MethodsWe conducted a cross sectional study utilising an online questionnaire between April and October 2020. Two questionnaires for the faculty and trainees each were designed to address the objectives. The questionnaires addressed barriers to delivery of medical education and perceptions on the models of education used.ResultsMajority of trainees (58.5%) responded that the pandemic has adversely affected medical education at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Trainees (58.5%) and faculty (35.7%) reported an increased reliance on e-learning. Trainees preferred face to face education (33.5%) while the faculty (37.1%) preferred a combination of different models of education delivery. Although 52.5% of the faculty had no previous experience of delivering education using e-learning modalities, but 58.9% felt confident in using e-learning software.ConclusionsFaculty and trainees agree that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the provision of medical education and training in Qatar, with an increased dependence on e-learning. As trainee’s prefer face-to-face models of education, we may have to consider restructuring of medical curricula in order to ensure that optimum learning is achieved via e-learning, while at the same time enhancing our use, knowledge and understanding of the e -learning methods as they may be an essential way of delivering education in the future.


Author(s):  
Béla Szende ◽  
Attila Zalatnai

SummaryThis article discusses the impact of the ‘second’ Vienna Medical School, hallmarked by Karl Rokitansky, Joseph Skoda and Ferdinand Hebra, on the study and practice of medicine in Hungary. Six medical doctors’ lives and achievements are outlined, who formed a bridge between Vienna and Budapest through their studies and work. Four of them returned to Hungary and promoted the cause of medicine and medical education there. Lajos Arányi (1812–1877) founded in 1844 the Institute of Pathology at the University of Pest. János Balassa (1814–1868) took the Chair of the Surgical Department. Ignaz Philip Semmelweis (1818–1865), the ‘Saviour of Mothers’, received a position at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Vienna in 1846. Gustav Scheuthauer (1832–1894) became Arányi’s successor. Each of them continued to keep contact with their tutors in Vienna, especially with Karl Rokitansky, and followed the clinicopathological conception pioneered by the Vienna Medical School regarding diagnostics, treatment and prevention of diseases. Two physicians remained in Vienna: Mór Kaposi (1837–1902), who became known worldwide posthumously due to the connection between Kaposi’s sarcoma and AIDS, was the director of the Department of Dermatology of the Vienna University in 1878. Salomon Stricker (1837–1898) undertook the leadership of the Department of General and Experimental Pathology in 1872.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-64
Author(s):  
Bahram Sattar Abdulrahman

The present study aims at investigating the use of prosodic features by Kurdish EFL undergraduates in their face-to-face interactions inside/outside the classroom from the university instructors’ perspectives. The study hypothesizes that the majority of Kurdish EFL undergraduates are not fully aware of the fact that any misuse of prosodic features would probably affect the emotions, feelings, and attitudes that the face-to-face interaction is intended to convey. Building on an analysis of a questionnaire given to 54 university instructors at 10 Iraqi Kurdistan Region different universities, the study concludes that the majority of problems the students face can be related to the misuse of stress, intonation, and other prosodic features. Therefore, EFL instructors should pay more attention to make students learn how to use prosodic features and enable them to send messages adequately while engaging in face-to-face interactions. This would require special classes about prosodic features so that EFL students can overcome the misuse they have in face-to-face communication. This is inevitable because accuracy and fluency in communication require EFL students to master both features: segmental and suprasegmental. The reason behind this necessity could be attributed to the fact that broken and/or incorrect pronunciation can be considered as one of the most prominent factors behind misunderstandings in communication.


Author(s):  
Kawther Khalid Ahmed ◽  
Ali Azeez Al-Jumaili ◽  
Salema Sultan Salman ◽  
Sarmed Hashem Kathem

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on education models was mainly through the expansion of technology use in the different educational programs. Earlier impact of COVID-19 was manifested in the complete and sudden transition to distance education regardless of institution preparedness status. Gradually, many institutions are moving back to on-campus face-to-face education. However, others including all higher education institutions in Iraq are adopting the hybrid education model. This report presents part of the end of semester evaluation survey conducted at the University of Baghdad College of Pharmacy for the Spring 2021 semester. The survey aims to address points of strength and weakness associated with the hybrid education model and specifically the virtual content delivery aspect of hybrid education. The outcomes of the end of semester evaluation will shape a better experience for upcoming years and guide distance education implantation in the program.   


Author(s):  
Stephanie M. Wurdock

In a time when health care reform and the limits on First Amendment freedom of religion are persistent subjects of debate, Catholic restrictions on health care have made it to the forefront of public concern. Catholic providers prohibit a variety of medical procedures traditionally viewed by the Church as contrary to the tenet of respect for human life and dignity. Many Americans view this as an unconstitutional restriction on care. As a result, the growing presence of Catholic providers, namely hospitals, has become a major point of contention in many communities. The potential barrier to medical services raises concern not only for potential patients, but also for medical students whose chosen specialty may include a prohibited service. This article identifies some difficulties that may emerge for current and prospective medical students and advocates that both groups should be required to contemplate (1) their personal beliefs as they pertain to religiously-restricted care, and (2) the effects those beliefs will have on their medical education and training. This article also gives a comprehensive background of the history of the Catholic hospital system in America and analyzes the federal "conscience clauses" and their implications for the instruction and practice of medicine. Finally, this article concludes that a mandatory bioethics curriculum is absolutely crucial to ensure adequate ethics training for medical students.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Trixie James ◽  
Gabiela Toth ◽  
Melissa Tomlins ◽  
Brijesh Kumur ◽  
Kerry Bond

The COVID-19 pandemic will forever be known as a disruptive dilemma that impacted many industries in Australia.  For the university sector, sudden lockdown and social distancing rules resulted in an acceleration in the provision of learning and teaching via online platforms, creating new challenges for students and educators. This project explored the ways in which an enabling course supported students through the forced transition from face-to-face classes to online learning due to the COVID-19 restrictions, and the students’ ability to adjust to the disruption caused by the pandemic. This unexpected change provided the opportunity to explore how enabling students perceived this experience and the effect it had on their ability to complete their units of study.  This paper presents findings on the impact that the abrupt transition to online learning had on the students’ educational experience and on their psychological and emotional wellbeing. It was found that most students experienced increased stress due to the changes in household dynamics, responsibilities and a different learning context, yet many reported improved study and technological skills, as well as an improved awareness of their ability to cope with change.  


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anni Ding ◽  
Lauren Smith ◽  
Aubrey Dickason ◽  
Rachel Easto ◽  
Philip Reece

Abstract Aim The impact of COVID-19 on cancer presentations has been debated; this audit aimed to examine the stage at presentation of head and neck (H&N) cancers regionally during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the identical time period during 2019. Methods Retrospective data was collected across 3 hospitals in the South West, identifying all H&N cancer patients discussed at Multi-disciplinary Team Meetings between 1st April-10th October 2019 and the same timeframe in 2020. Patients with lymphomas and thyroid neoplasms were excluded due to separate treatment pathways available. Results There were 234 and 272 patients identified in 2020 and 2019 respectively. The median stage at presentation for all cancers was 2 in both years. The commonest cancers in 2020 were oropharyngeal (28%) and oral cavity (22%), similar to that of 2019 (oral cavity-31%, oropharyngeal-22%). The absolute numbers of laryngeal cancers were similar but a greater percentage of those presented late (stages 3&4) in 2020 compared to 2019 (47% vs 35%). There were almost twice as many skin/lip cancers in 2020 proportionately (20% vs 12%) and a greater number of them presented at a later stage. Conclusion Overall, COVID-19 has not appeared to affect the stage at presentation of H&N cancers, reflecting an on-going continuity of care for cancer patients. Subgroup analysis revealed skin and laryngeal cancers was most adversely affected by the pandemic, possibly due to delayed presentation and reduced face-to-face consultations, highlighting the need for continued face-to-face appointments as a part of cancer care pathways.


Author(s):  
Jennie Rose Steres Blake ◽  
Nicola Grayson ◽  
Sami Karamalla-Gaiballa

Traditional investigations into the impact of skills support on student success tend to focus on embedded or curriculum linked modes of delivery. The subject of this investigation concerns a study of the impact of ‘open’ support delivered through the University of Manchester library’s My Learning Essentials skills programme (MLE). MLE is a blended service providing both face-to-face and online support through two dominant pathways: one which is embedded in the curriculum and one which is ‘open to all’ regardless of degree programme or level of study. The ‘open’ nature of this type of support and the variety amongst the student population who engage with it means that measuring the impact on areas such as attainment has always been difficult. This article will present the results of a small study that investigated a specific cohort of undergraduate students in order to assess whether connections could be drawn between attendance at MLE ‘open’ workshops and degree classification. Although the cohort investigated was quite small, there is evidence of significant positive impact on student attainment as a result of engagement with the MLE programme. The data was run through a regression analysis that controlled for factors that could influence attainment and compared attendees of MLE open workshops with those who did not attend. Beyond the results of the regression analysis the study reveals interesting data around student uptake of MLE as a service and presents the methodology used, the results gained, and the lessons learned throughout the process.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1474.2-1475
Author(s):  
L. Cano Garcia ◽  
S. Garcia Diaz ◽  
S. P. Fernandez-Sanchez ◽  
C. Domínguez-Quesada ◽  
M. D. C. Ordoñez Cañizares ◽  
...  

Objectives:To know the impact of the first wave of COVID19 (March to June 2020) in the nursing activity in rheumatology and explore improvements in patient care during the pandemic situation.Methods:2 surveys were sent to nurses working in the rheumatology area (Both in the Outpatient department and day care unit) during October 2020 in Spain. The first survey had 10 questions about what happened in the rheumatology units in the first wave of the COVID19 pandemic (March to June of 2020) and the second survey had 10 questions about the standards of quality of nursing care in times of pandemic. Google forms were used to collect and analyze data.Results:32 nurses completed the survey (30 women (93.8%)) with an average age of 49.6 ± 10.2 years. 93.8% work in the outpatient clinics and 2(6.2%) in day care units. The main results of the effects of the first wave of the pandemic are as follow: 4(12.5%) nurses were transferred to other areas of the hospital, 27(84.4%) showed changes in their care activity; and in 12(37,5%) of the surveyed centers, (slightly less than half of the medical staff) left their usual activity to care for covid-19 patients. In June 2020, at the end of the first wave, 17(53.1%) reported more decompensated patients and 22(68.8%) reported that they had both telephone and face-to-face consultations; 15(46.9%) reported that their clinical activity had increased.Regarding the standards of quality during the pandemia: 27(84.4%) believed that rheumatology units should be strengthened,31(96.9%) reported the need to carry out COVID educational campaigns in rheumatic patients and 30(100%) stated that nursing education should lead that education; 31(96.7%) believed that telephone consultation should be on demand and by telephone, 25 (78.1%) considered it necessary to include video calls and the possibility of receiving reports in non-face to face care and photos. Finally, 23(71.9%) centers recorded nursing and medical telephone consultations in their medical records.Conclusion:The pandemic had a huge impact on nursing care for rheumatic patients, with difficulties associated with extra work load and changes in the dynamics of care. A readjustment of assistance has been necessary and audiovisual aids were necessary to improve telephone (non face to face) service.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


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