An Analysis of Virtual Research Experiences for Undergraduates Programs in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic

With the continued social distancing requirements of the novel COVID-19 pandemic, many in-person educational programs were halted in 2020, including specialty education and research experiences for undergraduates. However, some Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) progressed in Summer 2020 in a fully virtual format. The importance of understanding how these practical STEM skills translated in a virtual REU format, in addition to areas of improvement going forward, are critical to the development of effective online STEM learning through REUs. Two survey instruments were designed to capture data from both the REU mentors (including the PIs) and the students in the programs. Questions included information on the REU they participated in, their perceptions of the best and worst aspects, their overall satisfaction with the experience, and their likelihood to seek out virtual REUs in the future. Overall, both students and faculty involved in virtual REUs were glad to have had the experience and were satisfied with it. The benefits of flexibility, the ease of communication and scheduling, and the increased access to online resources were echoed as the strengths of the virtual format. However, many believe that an in-person REU had benefits that could not be replicated in a virtual environment including community building and hands-on experiences. Several were bogged down by technical difficulties. With more effort made to include community building to a greater extent, as well as considerations and planning for technical demands, the future of widely accessible online REU experiences is a bright one.

Guardians of Care Humanization during the Pandemic: Child Neuropsychiatry Residents’ Experience as Volunteers in Italian COVID-19-Designated Hospitals

Objective. During the first months of 2020, the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread as an unprecedented pandemic. With the increasing number of hospitalizations, the resources of medical and nursing personnel needed for the direct and indirect care of patients were soon inadequate. Consistently, medical volunteers became a key human resource and young medical residents in any specialty were hired on a voluntary basis to contribute to take care of patients with COVID-19. This study reports on the lived experience of residents in child neuropsychiatry who volunteered in Italian hotspot COVID-19-designated hospitals during the epidemic outbreak.Methods. A phenomenological, qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions was used to obtain in-depth narratives of the experience of residents in child neuropsychiatry volunteering in the Italian hotspot COVID-19-designated hospitals. All residents (n=8) participated in the study. Interviews were conducted by an expert researcher trained in qualitative methods. Data analysis was performed by independent coders.Results. Five core themes were identified: Playing as a two-fold mediator, Facing the shock of COVID-19 reality, Capitalizing from the own specialty education, Growing as persons and professionals, and Humanizing medical care.Conclusions. This study is unique in providing an in-depth understanding of the experience of young residents in child neuropsychiatry volunteering in general hospitals during an unprecedented epidemic in Northern Italy. The findings suggest that this experience may be highly beneficial for both the residents and the hospital quality of care. Insights for accurate planning of residents’ engagement in future healthcare emergencies are provided.

Critical Care in Critical Times of COVID-19 in Argentina: A Viewpoint

The world is experiencing an unparalleled COVID-19 pandemic which highlighted the important role and contribution of critical care nurses worldwide.Argentinean health authorities and critical care organizations have delivered country wide education and support strategies to upskill the critical care nursing workforce.The challenges include to tailor a pandemic response in a context of a weak and fragmented health system and shortage of critical care nurses.Argentina needs to invest in expanding specialty education, enhancing critical care nursing leadership, and improving working conditions of critical care nurses.

Dermatologic Training and Practice in Canada: An In-Depth Review

As part of an in-depth review of the specialty for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), the Dermatology Working Group (DWG) was tasked with leading a comprehensive and objective analysis of the current state of Dermatology practice and training patterns in Canada. Preliminary research for the report was conducted in 3 areas: a jurisdictional analysis, a literature review, and a landscape overview. The results of this research were published in the spring 2019 edition of the Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. Various factors impacting the discipline were explored, including trends in the workforce, population needs, accessibility, and wait times, as well as issues in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. The DWG, supported by the RCPSC’s Office of Specialty Education, used information gained from the reviews, a national survey, and stakeholder perspectives to develop recommendations that address the current challenges and build upon opportunities for advancement in the specialty.