Evaluating the Use of E-Learning in Indian Emergency Medicine Residency Programs During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Cross-Sectional Survey.

OBJECTIVE: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has necessitated e-learning strategies in academic emergency medicine (EM) programs. A study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic to understand e-learning in the Indian EM context. METHODS: After IEC/IRB approval, we conducted a multicenter national survey validated by experts and underwent multiple reviews by the research team. The final survey was converted into Google Forms for dissemination via email to National Medical Commission (NMC) approved EM residency program as of 2020-2021. Data were exported into Excel format and analyzed. RESULTS: Residents and faculty comprised 41.5% and 58.5% of 94 respondents. The COVID-19 pandemic's second wave in India significantly impacted response rates. Internet connectivity was cited as a significant barrier to e-learning, while flexible timings and better engagement were facilitators identified by the survey. The attitude among residents and faculty toward e-learning was also evaluated. CONCLUSION: This survey reveals a significant positive shift in medical education from conventional teaching strategies toward e-learning, specifically during the pandemic. It also shows the need for all stakeholders (learners/educators) to better understand e-learning and adapt to its requirements. We need more data on the efficacy of e-learning compared to traditional methods. Until then, innovative hybrid/blended strategies would be the way forward.

Assessment of the Preparedness and Planning of Academic Emergency Departments in India During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multicentric Survey.

OBJECTIVE: Emergency medicine being a young specialty in India, we aimed to assess the level of disaster preparedness and planning strategies among various academic emergency departments (EDs) across India during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional multicentric survey was developed and disseminated online to various academic EDs in India and followed up over a period of 8 wk. All results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Twenty-eight academic emergency medicine departments responded to the study. Compared with pre-COVID period, COVID-19 pandemic has led to 90% of centers developing separate triage system with dedicated care areas for COVID suspected/infected in 78.6% centers with nearly 70% using separate transportation pathways. Strategizing and executing the Institutional COVID-19 treatment protocol in 80% institutes were done by emergency physicians. Training exercises for airway management and personal protective equipment (PPE) use were seen in 93% and 80% centers, respectively. Marked variation in recommended PPE use was observed across EDs in India. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the high variance in the level of preparedness response among various EDs across India during the pandemic. Preparedness for different EDs across India needs to be individually assessed and planned according to the needs and resources available.

MIST (Modified Intubating Sequence for Transmissibility) Bundle for Infectious Diseases with Aerosol Hazard.

The current global severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has magnified the risk to healthcare providers when inititiating airway management, and safe tracheal intubation has become of paramount importance. Mitigation of risk to frontline providers requires airway management to be an orchestrated exercise based on training and purposeful simulation. Role allocation and closed-loop communication form the foundation of this exercise. We describe a methodical, 10-step approach from decision-making and meticulous drug and equipment choices to donning of personal protective equipment, and procedural concerns. This bundled approach will help reduce unplanned actions, which in turn may reduce the risk of aerosol transmission during airway management in resource-limited settings.