Effectiveness of a Novel Global Telemedicine Curriculum for Medical Students.

Abstract

Background: The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine collaborated with The Addis Clinic to create a global telemedicine elective for fourth-year medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The elective aimed to promote cross-cultural understanding by providing unique, hands-on telemedicine experience.

Aim: To assess the effectiveness of the telemedicine elective, four of five medical students and 11 of 12 Kenyan clinical officers completed one-on-one interviews and surveys.

Setting: Students and global health faculty connected virtually with patients and clinical officers from several rural clinics in Kenya during the 4-week elective.

Participants: Per elective month, participants of the course included two fourth-year medical students and five Kenyan clinical officers.

Program description: A medical school elective designed in collaboration with The Addis Clinic, using WhatsApp and Telemedicus platform, in which each medical student virtually assisted a team of Kenyan clinical officers with a variety of active patient cases.

Program evaluation: Qualitative analysis of interviews with medical students and Kenyan clinical officers yielded themes of increased competency with clinical decision-making and culturally appropriate care delivery.

Discussion: Implementation of a unique global telemedicine elective was feasible and well received by both medical students and clinical officers in Kenya. The elective can be implemented at other institutions with faculty experienced in global health who would like to partner with The Addis Clinic.