Telehealth: from the abstract to necessity to competency

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Digital Health
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted traditional medical education.
• Rapid expansion of telehealth services necessitated curriculum adaptation.
• Pre-pandemic telehealth growth was accelerated by public health measures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt medical education curricula for the expanding role of telehealth.
• To prepare medical students for transformed clinical settings.
• To support faculty in developing telehealth teaching skills.

Main Methods:

• University of Colorado School of Medicine developed a telehealth course for students.
• A faculty development curriculum was created for telehealth instruction.
• Summative Clinical Practice Exams were adapted to include telehealth components.

Main Results:

• Integrated telehealth curricula were developed and implemented.
• Faculty received training in virtual teaching environments.
• Medical students were assessed on telehealth competencies.

Conclusions:

• The University of Colorado School of Medicine has established comprehensive telehealth curricula.
• These innovations address the need for telehealth skills in medical training.
• Telehealth curricula are expected to remain relevant beyond the pandemic.