Engaging trainees within the virtual classroom: Teaching strategies for rheumatologists in a pandemic

Social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented challenges in medical education, including for rheumatology training programs. Many programs have adapted by transitioning educational curricula into virtual classrooms. Herein, we review strategies to optimize learning within the virtual classroom. We introduce the flipped virtual classroom as a framework for facilitating higher-order thinking and improving long-term learning. We provide recommendations to maximize interactions between learners, elevate group discussions, and encourage problem solving. Once implemented, these techniques can lead to more productive teaching and learning experiences while maintaining a sense of community for rheumatology training programs.