Virtual Clinical Shadowing for Pre-Clinical Medical Students in an Emergency Medicine-Based Leadership Course.

Publication Type Academic Article
Authors Tanouye R, Nghiem J, Cohan K, Torres-Lavoro J, Schullstrom K, Mulcare M, Sharma R
Journal Telemed Rep
Volume 2
Issue 1
Pagination 233-238
Date Published 10/27/2021
ISSN 2692-4366
Abstract Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic limited pre-clinical medical students from participating in traditional clinical in-person shadowing. Rather than eliminating clinical shadowing from an established leadership course, we describe the experience of six pre-clinical medical students shadowing physician preceptors remotely through virtual platforms. Methods: Six pre-clinical medical students enrolled in 2020's Weill Cornell Medicine's Healthcare Leadership and Management Scholars Program were prepared with training materials for on-camera patient care. Students shadowed emergency medicine (EM) physicians providing clinical care in one of our New York Presbyterian emergency departments (EDs) and through telemedicine. Pre- and postsurveys were provided to these students. Results: From three different U.S. time zones, students were safely able to shadow EM physicians. The educational fidelity was maintained in physician-student relationships, but revealed opportunities for improvement in students' clinical learning, in ED clinical care, and in telemedicine visits. Conclusions: Virtual clinical shadowing is a viable option for pre-clinical students, when in-person options are not available. With logistical adjustments, this medium may be a long-term educational option especially for telemedicine.
DOI 10.1089/tmr.2021.0019
PubMed ID 35720750
PubMed Central ID PMC9049813
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