Cross-sectional Study
Cardiovascular fellow-in-training feedback on virtual and simulator-based learning experience during Covid-19 pandemic in a low to middle income country – A cross-sectional study

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102786Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • COVID-19 pandemic has affected cardiovascular FIT learning curve in terms of less clinical and procedure related exposure.

  • Virtual education has started gaining acceptance in LMIC, but lack of wide availability is still the concern.

Abstract

Background

COVID-19 pandemic has introduced us to a greater need of virtual learning platforms and has resulted in less clinical exposure for fellows-in-training. Virtual and simulator-based learning is not widely available in LMIC. It is imperative to analyze feedback of CV fellow-in-training regarding this mode of learning before large scale implementation.

Methodology

This was an observational study conducted between July–August 2020. A multicentered survey was conducted. Survey questionnaire was disseminated to FIT (fellow-in-training) via Google Forms. The questionnaire contained a total of 24 questions about virtual and simulator-based learning during the pandemic.

Results

A total of 68 FIT responded to the survey. The mean age was 29.9 years. There were 37% females and 63% males. Majority (75%) agreed that it was easier for them to reach for online sessions than physical sessions. 60% FIT were confident in asking questions or giving comments during the online sessions. 57.4% FIT felt it easier to go through cardiovascular imaging/illustrations via online platforms. 50% (34) were confident that if online sessions had to continue, they would have enough academic learning before they graduated from the program and 54.4% (37) wanted online sessions to continue even beyond the pandemic days. 37.5% (18 out of 48) agreed that the simulator-based teaching was helping them practice skills in times of less clinical exposure.

Conclusion

COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted cardiovascular FIT learning curve because of less hands-on and lack of physical teaching sessions. LMIC have lack of robust e-learning platforms. Virtual learning is convenient for academic learning with growing acceptance amongst fellows. FIT from LMIC are less acquaint to simulator-based teaching and there is a need to invest in simulator-based cardiovascular teaching in LMIC.

Keywords

Medical education
Virtual learning
e-learning
Cardiovascular medicine
Cardiology
Fellow-in-training
Post-graduate medical education
Academic
Simulators

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