Wilderness Medicine Education in the Time of Social Distancing and COVID-19

Wilderness medicine (WM) education has traditionally been conducted as in-person training. The current COVID-19 pandemic has forced medical schools to cancel clerkships and clinical electives and pivot to remote education. With online media modalities, it is possible to conduct a WM student elective remotely. The use of recorded audio lectures, instructional videos, choice-based simulations, and video conferencing allows students access to nearly all necessary content under the guidance of instructors. Although hands-on practicums are still essential to WM education, the process outlined here enables a temporary alternative during the time of necessary social distancing.