Search

The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has altered the undergraduate learning experience for many students across Canada. Medical education is no exception; clinical programs, in-person lectures, and mandatory hands-on activities have been suspended to adhere to social distancing guidelines. As remote teaching becomes the forefront of education, medical curricula have been forced to adapt accordingly in order to fulfill the core competencies of medical training and to provide quality education to medical students. With that in mind, the COVID-19 crisis offers a unique opportunity to evaluate the current "continuity plans" in medical education as they stand. This paper provides the perspective of medical students on how medical education is changing for both pre-clerkship and clerkship students, using their experience at McGill University as an example for the Canadian medical education system. Additionally, we discuss the accommodations put forth by the undergraduate medical education (UGME) office, and reflect on the limitations and sustainable solutions in supporting quality medical education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) electives provide medical students opportunities for knowledge acquisition, mentorship, and career exploration. Given the importance of electives on medical student education, this study examines OHNS clinical electives prior to their cancellation in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An anonymous 29-question electronic survey was created using the program "Qualtrics." Themes included elective structure and organization, elective clinical and non-clinical teaching, evaluation of students, and the influence of electives on the Canadian Residency Match (CaRMS). The survey was distributed through the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology e-newsletter and e-mailed to all OHNS undergraduate and postgraduate program directors across Canada. Results: Forty-two responses were received. The vast majority of respondents felt that visiting electives were important and should return post-COVID-19 (97.6%). Most said they provide more in-depth or hands-on teaching (52.4% and 59.6%, respectively). However, there was great variability in the feedback, types of teaching and curriculum provided to elective students. It was estimated that 77% of current residents at the postgraduate program that responders were affiliated with participated in an elective at their program. Conclusions: Prior to the cancellation of visiting electives in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, electives played an important role in OHNS undergraduate medical education and career planning for students wishing to pursue a career in OHNS. Electives also provide the opportunity for the evaluation of students by OHNS postgraduate programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]