Developing a Postpandemic Model for Hybrid Clinical Ethics Rotations in Postgraduate Medical Education

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Bioethics
• Public Health Emergencies

Background:

• Residency bioethics education is crucial for Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education milestones and ethical dilemma resolution.
• The COVID-19 pandemic amplified bioethical concerns and moral distress among residents.
• Practical stressors during the pandemic necessitated innovative educational approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and implementation of a virtual ethics rotation for residents.
• To enhance resident well-being and ethical analysis amidst pandemic-related challenges.
• To detail the transition to a hybrid model prioritizing flexibility and continued support.

Main Methods:

• Development of a virtual clinical ethics rotation accommodating resident schedules and pandemic demands.
• Integration of flexibility to support resident well-being and analyze ethical experiences.
• Transition to a hybrid model incorporating in-person elements for enhanced learning.

Main Results:

• The virtual rotation effectively provided bioethics education without overstraining resident bandwidth.
• The program addressed key areas of resident distress related to the pandemic.
• Resident feedback indicated the effectiveness of the rotation in supporting their ethical reasoning and well-being.

Conclusions:

• Virtual and hybrid ethics rotations offer a flexible and effective model for residency bioethics education.
• These adaptive models are essential for supporting resident well-being and ethical competence during crises.
• Continued focus on resident support and ethical analysis remains vital in medical training.