IDEAL: Maintaining PHC-focused training in a MBChB programme through a COVID-induced innovation

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Public Health Training

Background:

• COVID-19 disrupted traditional clinical training for medical students.
• Need for authentic, service-learning based clinical experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and implementation of the IDEAL rotation.
• To evaluate the IDEAL rotation as a model for distributed clinical training.

Main Methods:

• A 12-week longitudinal, integrated rotation for 252 pre-final-year medical students.
• Placement in 30 primary and secondary healthcare facilities with service-learning focus.
• Utilized on-site clinician support, online resources, learning facilitators, and wellness support.

Main Results:

• The IDEAL rotation successfully provided clinical reasoning and practical skills development.
• Innovations included distributed training, responsiveness to health needs, and co-creation with students.
• Positive learning experiences led to ongoing integration into the medical degree.

Conclusions:

• Longitudinal exposure to undifferentiated patients in primary care fosters self-regulated learning.
• The IDEAL rotation model effectively supports the development of clinical reasoning and practical skills in medical students.