Resident Perceptions of Simulcast Teaching: A Qualitative Study.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Qualitative Research
• Pandemic Response

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated adaptations in medical education, balancing learning with safety concerns.
• Internal Medicine (IM) residency programs adopted "simulcast" sessions, combining in-person small groups with virtual large-group participation.
• This study explores resident perceptions of the simulcast educational model.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the advantages and disadvantages of the simulcast educational setting from the perspective of IM residents.
• To compare resident experiences in simulcast, virtual, and in-person learning environments during the pandemic.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study involving categorical IM residents at Penn State during the 2020-2021 academic year.
• Semi-structured, 30-minute virtual focus groups were conducted with participating residents.
• Inductive thematic coding was employed to analyze resident responses.

Main Results:

• Forty-eight percent of invited residents participated.
• Residents reported higher accountability in simulcast small groups compared to virtual or large groups.
• In-person settings were preferred for social connection, while educator skill and presentation quality impacted engagement across all settings.

Conclusions:

• Resident responses to simulcast varied based on comfort with group size, social needs, and teaching perceptions.
• Key challenges included small group discomfort, inconsistent learning experiences, engagement issues, and technology problems.
• Mitigation strategies involve learner distribution, facilitator training, and interactive modalities for sustainable hybrid education.