Hybrid clinical radiology rotations win over medical students
A new paper published in Academic Radiology highlights some of the key clinical education lessons derived from the many disruptions to radiology rotations during the height of COVID.
Experts from Duke University School of Medicine shared the experiences of three separate groups—one fully remote group, one in-person group and a group that participated in a hybrid model of in-person and remote rotations—and how the changes impacted both their performances and perspectives during the adjustments.
“The COVID-19 pandemic prompted the virtualization of historically in-person radiology rotations for medical students. As students return to in-person clinical education, there is an opportunity to reevaluate teaching strategies and incorporate best practices from the pandemic,” wrote corresponding author Robert French, MD, of the Department of Radiology at Duke University Medical Center, and colleagues.
The students’ performances and satisfaction were measured based on final examination scores, final grades, lecture evaluation scores and satisfaction scores.
The fully remote group recorded significantly lower final grades in comparison to the other two groups, while those involved in the hybrid scheduled reported the greatest satisfaction with their rotations.
The hybrid model also earned high marks for teaching effectiveness from the students, in addition to garnering the greatest student-reported quantity and quality of formative feedback. The authors of the study noted that these measures “may reflect the increased opportunities for meaningful student-instructor exchanges in in-person clinical settings and in several new interactive teaching sessions (e.g., mock dictations).”
Overall, the authors praised the hybrid model’s ability to incorporate the most successful aspects of both in-person and virtual learning environments, adding that future models should consider a balance between immersive experiences and remote offerings.
The study abstract can be viewed here.
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.