Medical Student and Resident Dermatology Education in Canada During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and subsequent physical distancing recommendations created major gaps in traditional dermatologic undergraduate and postgraduate medical education delivery. Nevertheless, the educational consequences of various public health restrictions have indirectly set aside the inertia, resistance, and risk averse approach to pedagogical change in medicine. In Canada, rapid collaboration and innovation in dermatologic education has led to novel programs including the implementation of a range of internet-facilitated group learning activities and a dramatic expansion of digital telehealth and virtual care. Going forward, three key issues arising from these developments will need to be addressed: the ongoing assessment of these innovations for efficacy; sustaining the momentum and creativity that has been achieved; and, determining which of these activities are worth maintaining when traditional “tried and true” learning activities can be resumed.