Carolinas Research Day 2021

Simulation and Technology Studies

01 Medical Student Confidence and Satisfaction in Using Telemedicine Improve After Conducting Patient Encounter

Emily L. Unrue, OMS II, Grayson White, OMS II, Ning Cheng, PhD and Tom Lindsey, DO, FACOS

The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Carolinas

Context: Although the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of telemedicine platforms across the country, medical students may lack confidence in their ability to conduct satisfactory patient encounters and practice clinical medicine through telemedicine. Objective: Evaluate the role of a standardized patient encounter on first year medical student confidence and satisfaction in using telemedicine. Methods: First-year medical students recruited from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine- Carolinas Campus were surveyed on their confidence and satisfaction with using telemedicine platforms before and after conducting a patient encounter. Participant confidence and satisfaction were assessed with a 5-point Likert scale.

Results: Medical student confidence and satisfaction with telemedicine improved after standardized patient experience. Before the experience, 55% of students were “a little confident” or less in their ability to conduct a patient interview over telemedicine. Following the encounter, 75% of students reported feeling “somewhat confident” to “confident” in their ability. Conclusion: Growth of telemedicine over the past year has changed the delivery of healthcare, medical students must receive adequate training to practice the unique skills required for telemedicine patient encounters. Medical schools should consider adding a telemedicine curriculum and standardized patient experiences in the undergraduate medical setting.

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