Endocrinology in the Time of Coronavirus: A Virtual Endocrinology Elective for Medical Students

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Association of American Medical Colleges recommended that medical students halt in-person learning. Our institution created a competency based virtual endocrinology elective to provide continued clinical experience with a focus on type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and health equity in diabetes care. Methods: A 4-week virtual endocrinology elective alternated between different mini-rotations to maximize exposure to inpatient and outpatient endocrine care, as well as self-directed and faculty/fellow directed educational experiences. Post-elective surveys assessed student satisfaction with elective components and change in comfort levels with T2DM management and social determinants of health (SDH) on diabetes care. Results: Overall, 87% (n=13) of students were “extremely satisfied” with the elective. Increased comfort was seen with management of type 2 DM and the impact of SDH on DM care (DM 88% neutral/uncomfortable to 94% comfortable, SDH 50% neutral/uncomfortable to 94% comfortable). Students were satisfied with the quality of patient care and requested opportunities for more direct involvement. Conclusions: This virtual endocrine elective shows that curricula can be creatively designed to educate students in endocrinology, assess students across core competencies, and demonstrate impacts of telehealth and social determinants of health on endocrine and patient care.