Going Virtual: A Virtual Summer Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Externship Experience for Medical Students. (29th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rydberg, Leslie; Ankam, Nethra; Sauter, Carley N.; Snider, Brittany A.; Kasi, Ravi E.; Mayer, R. Samuel
• Is Part Of: American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation. Volume 102:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 71
• Page End: 74
• Publication Date: 2023-01-29
• Subjects: Curriculum Development -- Medical Education -- Disability -- Rehabilitation -- Virtual; Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Medicine, Physical -- Periodicals; 617.062
• DOI: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002109
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0894-9115

Abstract

Abstract: Opportunities for early medical student exposure to the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) are desirable for promoting the field as a career choice and are useful for introducing students to the care of people with disabilities. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted medical education and caused the cancellation of many in-person clinical programs, including the Medical Student Summer Clinical Externship in PM&R supported by the Association of Academic Physiatrists. This article describes the process by which an in-person summer clinical externship program was effectively converted into a Virtual PM&R Experience using a combination of independent assignments and small-group sessions. A total of 87 medical students completed the Virtual PM&R Experience over two summers. The participants of the program met the program learning objectives, including enhancing their understanding of physiatry as a career and recognizing the medical and social issues that affect persons with disability.