ICERA: Increasing accessibility to medical education through structured international collaboration
Maxwell B. Baker, Rafael Ortega, Federico Bilotta, Jennifer Wang, Wendy Bernstein
Abstract
Dear Editor,
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered sudden and significant adjustments to anesthesia residency training programs worldwide. Initially, the most pressing issues focused on concerns of reduced clinical exposure provided to trainees, largely due to the widespread cancellation of elective surgeries. However, reduction of educational activities and networking opportunities, especially those across institutions, also played a large role in degrading the quality of the residency experience. Initial stages of the pandemic caused an abrupt discontinuation of in-person learning opportunities such as didactic lectures and grand rounds. With efforts to adhere to social distancing guidelines and reduction of the spread of the disease, such gatherings were temporarily paused and substituted with virtual learning modalities. Once established, the shift to virtual learning platforms became a flexible option for presenting educational material. Virtual platforms gave trainees the ability to maintain a regular attendance schedule while minimizing the risk of infection. Virtual sessions were recorded and archived, increasing the accessibility of educational material. Trainees could easily catch up on missed sessions or revisit key material at a later date, enhancing their learning experience. Furthermore, virtual platforms have fostered real-time interactions and discussions, even across geographical boundaries, regardless of where different parties are physically located.
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Submitted date:
05/03/2024
Accepted date:
05/14/2024
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