RESUMO
Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic brought significant disruption to post-graduate medical education. Lecture-based training days were rapidly converted to webinars. This study aims to assess the perceptions of digital training in internal medical trainees. Methods: IMTs (internal medicine trainees) nationally were surveyed on their perceptions of digital training, ease of access, engagement, and interactivity via a 10-item questionnaire. A mixed-method approach using qualitative and quantitative questions was used. Likert scales were analysed using a mean result of above 3 to indicate agreement. Results: 359 trainees responded. Trainees agreed that they preferred digital training to face-to-face teaching (mean 3.68); digital training was more engaging (mean 4.25), easier to access (mean 4.49), and as effective for learning as face-to-face teaching (mean 4.69). The most reported advantages were no travel (89%) and the ability to watch later on (88%). 63% of trainees reported loss of social interaction as a disadvantage. Discussion: This survey suggests that digital teaching has a potential role in IMT training beyond the pandemic.
RESUMO
Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers (VHF) such as Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) are of increasing concern to clinicians and public heath bodies across Europe and America due to the on-going epidemic in West Africa. We conducted an online study to assess clinicians' knowledge of VHF across six hospital sites in London. This showed suboptimal knowledge of Public Health England guidance, EVD epidemiology and the risk factors for acquiring VHF. Knowledge about VHF was dependent on seniority of grade with the most junior grade of doctors performing worse in several areas of the survey. Poor knowledge raises concerns that those at risk of VHF will be inappropriately risk stratified and managed. Education of doctors and other healthcare professionals about VHF is necessary to address these knowledge gaps.
