Medical Student Experience and Outcomes, as Well as Preceptor Experience, with Rapid Conversion of a Preclinical Medical School Course to a Remote-Based Learning Format in the Setting of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objectives To assess student outcomes and experiences, as well as preceptor experiences, after emergently converting a preclinical medical school renal course to a remote setting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods First-year medical student examination scores and responses to Likert-scale questions on end-of-course evaluations from the 2018-2019 (traditional) and 2019-2020 (remote) academic years were compared. Free-text responses from students and preceptors were analyzed using a qualitative summative approach to extract major themes in perceptions of remote learning. Results Mean student scores on course examinations did not significantly differ between the traditional and remote settings (p = 0.23 and 0.84 respectively). Quantitative analysis of student evaluations revealed no significant difference across all items in mean Likert-scale responses. Student and preceptor free-text responses identified course leader engagement and responsiveness as essential to the success of remote-based learning. Optimal group size and online etiquette are areas that require attention. Conclusions Despite rapid conversion of a preclinical medical school renal course to a remote-based format in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic, student scores and evaluations remain positive and largely unchanged.