Internal Medicine Residents' Perceptions of Virtual Morning Report: a Multicenter Survey

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Graduate Medical Training
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid shifts to virtual formats in graduate medical education.
• Internal medicine residency programs faced challenges transitioning core educational conferences, like morning report (MR), to virtual platforms with limited prior experience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess resident perspectives on the content and teaching strategies of virtual morning report (MR) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To understand resident experiences and preferences regarding virtual versus in-person MR formats.

Main Methods:

• An anonymous, web-based survey was administered to residents from 14 internal medicine residency programs.
• The 25-item survey collected data on demographics, attendance, format preferences, perceived impact on the learning environment, and future use of virtual MR.

Main Results:

• Out of 615 respondents, 42% preferred in-person MR, 18% preferred virtual, and 40% found them equivalent, citing better peer engagement and camaraderie in person.
• Interactive tools like chat boxes and video participation improved the virtual learning experience.
• A significant majority (72%) supported the continuation of virtual MR options after in-person conferences resumed.

Conclusions:

• Virtual morning report (MR) served as a crucial and valued educational format during the pandemic.
• Residents recognized unique benefits of virtual platforms, supporting their integration with in-person conferences for future medical education.