TY - JOUR
T1 - Incorporating Telemedicine in Rheumatology Fellowship Training Programs
T2 - Needs Assessment, Curricular Intervention, and Evaluation
AU - Bolster, Marcy B.
AU - Kolfenbach, Jason
AU - Poeschla, Alexandra
AU - Criscione-Schreiber, Lisa
AU - Hant, Faye
AU - Ishizawar, Rumey
AU - Jonas, Beth
AU - Leverenz, David
AU - O'Rourke, Kenneth S.
AU - Wolfe, Rachel M.
AU - Zickuhr, Lisa
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 American College of Rheumatology.
PY - 2023/12
Y1 - 2023/12
N2 - Objective: To increase the confidence of rheumatology fellows in training (FITs) in delivering virtual care (VC) and prepare them for independent practice, we developed educational materials addressing gaps in their skills. Methods: We identified gaps in telemedicine skills based on FIT performance in a virtual rheumatology objective structured clinical examination (vROSCE) station on VC delivery using video teleconference technology and survey (survey 1) responses. We created educational materials including videos of “mediocre” and “excellent” VC examples, discussion/reflection questions, and a document summarizing key practices. We measured change in the confidence levels of FITs for delivering VC with a post-intervention survey (survey 2). Results: Thirty-seven FITs (19 first-year, 18 second- plus third-year fellows) from 7 rheumatology fellowship training programs participated in a vROSCE and demonstrated gaps in skills mapping to several Rheumatology Telehealth Competency domains. Confidence levels of FITs improved significantly from survey 1 to survey 2 for 22 of 34 (65%) questions. All participating FITs found the educational materials helpful for learning and reflecting on their own VC practice; 18 FITs (64%) qualified usefulness as “moderately” or “a lot.” Through surveying, 17 FITs (61%) reported implementing skills from the instructional videos into VC visits. Conclusion: Continually assessing our learners’ needs and creating educational materials addressing gaps in training are requisite. Using a vROSCE station, needs assessments, and targeted learning with videos and discussion-guidance materials enhanced the confidence level of FITs in VC delivery. It is imperative to incorporate VC delivery into fellowship training program curricula to ensure breadth in skills, attitudes, and knowledge of new entrants into the rheumatology workforce.
AB - Objective: To increase the confidence of rheumatology fellows in training (FITs) in delivering virtual care (VC) and prepare them for independent practice, we developed educational materials addressing gaps in their skills. Methods: We identified gaps in telemedicine skills based on FIT performance in a virtual rheumatology objective structured clinical examination (vROSCE) station on VC delivery using video teleconference technology and survey (survey 1) responses. We created educational materials including videos of “mediocre” and “excellent” VC examples, discussion/reflection questions, and a document summarizing key practices. We measured change in the confidence levels of FITs for delivering VC with a post-intervention survey (survey 2). Results: Thirty-seven FITs (19 first-year, 18 second- plus third-year fellows) from 7 rheumatology fellowship training programs participated in a vROSCE and demonstrated gaps in skills mapping to several Rheumatology Telehealth Competency domains. Confidence levels of FITs improved significantly from survey 1 to survey 2 for 22 of 34 (65%) questions. All participating FITs found the educational materials helpful for learning and reflecting on their own VC practice; 18 FITs (64%) qualified usefulness as “moderately” or “a lot.” Through surveying, 17 FITs (61%) reported implementing skills from the instructional videos into VC visits. Conclusion: Continually assessing our learners’ needs and creating educational materials addressing gaps in training are requisite. Using a vROSCE station, needs assessments, and targeted learning with videos and discussion-guidance materials enhanced the confidence level of FITs in VC delivery. It is imperative to incorporate VC delivery into fellowship training program curricula to ensure breadth in skills, attitudes, and knowledge of new entrants into the rheumatology workforce.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85165141031&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/acr.25165
DO - 10.1002/acr.25165
M3 - Article
C2 - 37232060
AN - SCOPUS:85165141031
SN - 2151-464X
VL - 75
SP - 2428
EP - 2434
JO - Arthritis Care and Research
JF - Arthritis Care and Research
IS - 12
ER -