ABSTRACT
COVID-19 pandemic is changing profoundly the obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) academic clinical learning environment in many different ways. Rapid developments affecting our learners, patients, faculty and staff require unprecedented collaboration and quick, deeply consequential readjustments, almost on a daily basis. We summarized here our experiences, opportunities, challenges and lessons learned and outline how to move forward. The COVID-19 pandemic taught us there is a clear need for collaboration in implementing the most current evidence-based medicine, rapidly assess and improve the everchanging healthcare environment by problem solving and "how to" instead of "should we" approach. In addition, as a community with very limited resources we have to rely heavily on internal expertise, ingenuity and innovation. The key points to succeed are efficient and timely communication, transparency in decision making and reengagement. As time continues to pass, it is certain that more lessons will emerge.
Subject(s)
Betacoronavirus , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Gynecology/education , Obstetrics/education , Pandemics , Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology , COVID-19 , Clinical Clerkship , Curriculum , Delivery of Health Care/trends , Evidence-Based Medicine , Fellowships and Scholarships , Female , Hawaii/epidemiology , Humans , Internship and Residency , Pregnancy , SARS-CoV-2 , Students, MedicalABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Development of professionalism is a critical component of a military transitional year residency. Little published research exists to guide programs in meeting this challenge. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: After significant concerns regarding resident professionalism were raised by Tripler Army Medical Center faculty, a novel transitional residency professionalism curriculum was conceived and implemented. Universal expectations of physician professionalism, as perceived by various stakeholders (patients, parents, faculty, and nurses), were explored using a small group, discussion-based curriculum. This was combined with a small group, discussion-based, lessons-learned project and a military-unique curriculum. RESULTS: Since implementation, the curriculum has had 100% satisfaction on the part of the faculty and 80% to 100% on the part of the residents, as measured by annual review surveys. Although resident professionalism scores on evaluations did not change significantly, the number of adverse actions because of professionalism lapses has decreased steadily in the 4 years since inception, and the program has been without any such actions for the past 18 months. CONCLUSIONS: Our novel transitional residency professionalism curriculum has been successful in a military residency program.