The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on undergraduate medical education: A survey of students' safety and satisfaction during breast surgery clinical placement

Gasiea, R.; Yip, C.

Introduction: COVID-19 is affecting all medical education and training The University used in the collection of data suspended all clinical placement from mid-March 2020, resuming in-person teaching from September. To enable social distancing, the medical school and Breast Unit introduced: 1. one student per clinician per clinical activity (3- hours), 2. online learning (1-hr) and patient exposure (2 hours) in some clinical activities, 3. remote learning via Teams, and 4. personal protective equipment Method: We sent a 24-question survey to 31, 3rd and 4th year, students who had breast surgery clinical placement between 07/09/20 and 18/12/20. The aim was to assess whether clinical activities could still feasibly be carried out, the effectiveness of COVID-19 protection, and students' learning satisfaction Result: Our survey achieved a 65% response-rate. Over two-thirds of students had at least 3 days' clinical placement, attending clinics, theatre mammography, multidisciplinary team meetings and a 3-hr lecture via Teams. 90% of students had face-to-face patient interaction and 70% conducted physical examinations. All students were provided with hand-gel and masks and, at clinics, 35% of students were provided with face-shields. None of the students reported COVID-19 related symptoms during or after placement. 85% of students felt safe during their clinical placement and 95% reported satisfaction with the quality of teaching Conclusion: Notwithstanding COVID-19 restrictions, a blend of face-toface with online clinical teaching can be safely delivered Take-home Message: Notwithstanding COVID-19 restrictions, a blend of face-to-face with online clinical teaching can be safely delivered .