AB078. SOH21AS066. Student perception of virtual surgical bedside tutorials during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a randomised control trial

Background: The social distancing recommendations from the WHO during the pandemic has resulted in a pivot point in the delivery of medical education. With the medical student clinical experience constantly under threat; novel methods to maintain adequate surgical patient exposure and student interaction on a platform amenable to the interactive format required was devised using a virtual platform to compliment current pedagogical approaches.

Methods: A parallel randomised control trial evaluated the perceived use of remote learning in place of bedside teaching. Participants were randomised to undergo surgical bedside teaching in person or virtually. Feedback questionnaires and exit interviews carried out following each session. Content analysis of transcripts was performed to evaluate the presence and quality of perceived learning, benefits and limitations to each modality.

Results: A marked preference for in-person surgical bedside tutorials was demonstrated. Feedback demonstrated greater engagement, satisfaction, involvement and learning (P<0.001) in the bedside group. Content analysis yielded three main themes; Technological, Interpersonal Component, Provision of Content. Participants in the virtual group reported a limited ability to elicit clinically relevant findings in surgical patients. Students however reported the virtual teaching was an acceptable alternative in the current climate of reduced patient access.

Conclusions: The current pandemic poses challenges to adequate student-patient exposure. Delivering surgical bedside teaching remotely is a viable alternative to groups of students congregating in the current climate of reduced clinical access, however bedside teaching remains the preferred method of learning.

Keywords: Clinical based teaching; qualitative analysis; surgical curriculum; student perspectives; undergraduate education