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Undergraduate experience of ENT teaching during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: a qualitative study

Part of: JLO Coronavirus Collection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2021

M Walker  and
E Stapleton
M Walker*
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
E Stapleton
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Megan Walker, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK E-mail: meganwalker@doctors.org.uk
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Abstract

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 has transformed medical education worldwide. Innovations in ENT teaching for medical students have focused on virtual learning, often replacing history-taking, patient examination and practical procedure observation. This qualitative study aimed to evaluate student experience and the impact of the altered learning environment.

Methods

Open-ended questionnaires were sent to students following ENT placements from March 2020 to March 2021. Responses were qualitatively analysed and coded using a grounded theory approach. Iterative cycles were used to develop codes via a constant comparison technique. Emerging categories from codes were refined to identify core themes.

Results

Core themes were explored, including: reduced clinical experience and patient contact compared with student expectations; challenges to learning opportunities in ENT; and the experience of different teaching methods, or preference for face-to-face teaching.

Conclusion

Medical students on ENT placement have expectations of patient contact for learning opportunities. ENT departments should ensure that patient contact and face-to-face learning opportunities are facilitated, while maintaining safety, including appropriate personal protective equipment provision.

Keywords

Education, MedicalTeachingCOVID-19PandemicsOtolaryngology
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 135 , Issue 8 , August 2021 , pp. 741 - 745
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

Dr M Walker takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

Data to be presented at the Association for the Study of Medical Education (ASME) annual scientific meeting, 8–9 July 2021

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