Increasing Medical Student Engagement Through Virtual Rotations in Radiation Oncology
Jenna M. Kahn, Emma C. Fields, Erqi L. Pollom, Loise Wairiri, Neha Vapiwala, Nima Nabavizadeh, Charles R. Thomas, Rachel Jimenez, Ravi A. Chandra
Abstract
Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affected medical student clerkships and education around the country. A virtual medical student clerkship was created to integrate didactic education with disease specific lectures for medical students, contouring, and hands on learning with telehealth. Twelve medical students in their 3rd and 4th year were enrolled in this 2 week elective from April 27, 2020 to June 5, 2020. There was significant improvement of overall knowledge about the field of radiation oncology from pre elective to post elective (P < .001). Feedback included enjoying direct exposure to contouring, telehealth, and time with residents. Overall this 2 week rotation was successful in integrating radiation oncology virtually for medical students. This is now being expanded to multiple institutions as an educational resource and future rotations for medical students.