Incorporating Medical Students Into Primary Care Telehealth Visits: Tutorial.

Aanika Balaji,Sarah Lou Clever

doi:10.2196/24300

Abstract

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has brought about sweeping change in health care delivery, which has shifted from in-person consultations to a web-based format. Few medical schools provide web-based medicine or telemedicine training to their learners, though this is likely to be important for future medical practice.ObjectiveThis tutorial communicates a framework for incorporating medical students into primary care telemedicine clinics.MethodsA third-year medical student and internal medicine attending physician from the Johns Hopkins University completed telemedicine clinic visits in April 2020 by using a variety of video platforms and via telephone calls.ResultsNine telemedicine visits were completed over 4 clinic days. Our patients were, on average, aged 68 years. The majority of patients were female (6/9, 67%), and most appointments were completed via a video platform (6/9, 67%). Additionally, our experience is summarized and describe (1) practical tips for how to prepare for a telehealth visit; (2) technology considerations; (3) recommendations for participation during a telehealth visit; (4) debriefing and feedback; (5) challenges to care; and (6) student, care provider, and patient reactions to telemedicine visits.ConclusionsTelemedicine clinics have been successfully used for managing patients with chronic conditions, those who have attended low-risk urgent care visits, and those with mental health concerns. Patients have reported high patient satisfaction scores for telemedicine visits, and the majority of patients are comfortable with having medical students as part of their care team. Moving forward, telemedicine will remain a popular method for receiving health care. This study has highlighted that medical students can successfully be integrated into telemedicine clinics and that they should be exposed to telehealth whenever possible prior to residency.

Highlights

The COVID-19 pandemic era is a historic moment that is ushering in waves of challenges and the need for innovation
Telemedicine clinics have been successfully used for managing patients with chronic conditions, those who have attended low-risk urgent care visits, and those with mental health concerns
Patients have reported high patient satisfaction scores for telemedicine visits, and the majority of patients are comfortable with having medical students as part of their care team

Summary

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic era is a historic moment that is ushering in waves of challenges and the need for innovation. We have had to adapt to wearing face masks, working from home, and practicing social distancing measures to prevent the further spread of SARS-CoV-2 [1] In alignment with these recommendations, the Association of American Medical Colleges requested a temporary suspension of medical student involvement in on-site clerkships that involve direct patient contact between March and April 2020 [2]. As in-person clinical clerkships were suspended for 2 months at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (March to May 2020), students were able to enroll in web-based learning offerings. These courses did not involve patient interaction.

Results

Discussion

Conclusion