Rapid implementation of a medical student rotation in health systems operations and remote patient care in response to COVID-19

Abstract

Medical schools initially removed students from clinical rotations at the outset of COVID-19 for safety reasons when students were eager to help and health systems needed personnel. In response, we rapidly implemented an innovative 2-week rotation for medical students to participate in health systems operations and care through remote efforts including triage and resource allocation. The curriculum also contained online self-paced educational modules covering topics including ethics, crisis standards of care, and modeling. As the health system needs shifted, so too did learners’ work. One hundred and twenty-five 3rd and 4th-year students completed the experience over 10 months. Learner satisfaction, confidence, and knowledge assessed through pre- and post-rotation surveys showed statistically significant and educationally meaningful improvement. A near uniform change greater than 1 point (on a 5-point scale) was demonstrated upon rotation completion. Blending health systems and educational structures to meet the needs of both creates unique opportunities to educate students in new ways.