Curricular response to COVID-19: real-time interactive telehealth experience (RITE) program

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Digital Health
• Healthcare Systems

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted medical student clinical training.
• Academic healthcare systems faced unprecedented strain, necessitating adaptations in medical education.
• Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM) had a telemedicine curriculum but limited practical application for students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the rapid implementation of Real-Time Interactive Telehealth Experience (RITE) courses for clerkship students.
• To ensure meaningful engagement in remote patient care and academic progress during clinical pauses.
• To develop a sustainable telehealth curriculum for medical students.

Main Methods:

• A request for proposals for RITE courses was disseminated with a rapid turnaround time.
• Courses were developed across various specialties including outpatient, inpatient, psychiatry, and women's health.
• A lottery system was used for student registration, with a high fill rate of available course slots.

Main Results:

• 74 out of 76 RITE course slots were filled, indicating high student demand.
• Students engaged in supervised remote direct patient care and supported frontline workers.
• Student feedback was generally positive, with ratings ranging from 3.33-4.57 out of 5.

Conclusions:

• The RITE framework provides a model for structured telehealth educational experiences.
• This initiative addresses COVID-19 related curricular needs and will continue post-pandemic.
• The expanded curriculum offers essential training in telehealth for graduating medical students.