Reflections and insights on the Burden of COVID-19 on various facets of medical education, research, and training: An evaluation in the postpandemic era

Medical education, an integral part of the modern health-care system, had faced the thrust of the outbreak for the last couple of years. Although the immediate impacts were trivial and managed with online pedagogical approach, on a long run, it seems to spill serious repercussions on medical students, teaching faculties, and administration. Different countries are handling with the situation depending on their financial conditions, task force, and resource allocation. Hence, momentarily, it is quite impractical to reach a global consensus regarding what is the best for students and communities in long run. Meanwhile, each country needs to formulate its own regime to continue with high standard medical teaching and training. Obviously, it may solicit time span, prioritization, and empathy to restructure the medical education without disfiguring its original fabric. The unprecedented use of online pedagogy (prerecorded lectures, medical simulations, virtual cadavers, and video conferencing) has transformed medical education drastically. Although these newer teaching-training policies assisted us to continue with the ongoing curriculum, medical placement/clerkship just resumed with necessary precautions. The assessment part needs extra care and vigilance, as any change or incorporation of newer methods of assessment may even worsen the present state of affairs for both the assessor and the student.Copyright © 2022 National Journal of Clinical Anatomy.

Online Learning Modules in Anatomical Sciences: Effective Sources for Continued Learning for Medical Undergraduates During the Unprecedent COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction. During the COVID-19 pandemic-induced lockdown, the selection of simple and authentic online material among plethora of web content is difficult for both students and teachers. This forces students and teachers to explore various avenues of learning. The objective of this research was to evaluate free open-access anatomy e-learning resources in accordance with required standard learning outcomes for medical students. Methods. During February 2021, an extensive search for online modules for learning anatomy across six Massive Open Online Courses, including edX, Coursera, Udemy, Khan Academy, Canvas and FutureLearn, along with Google and YouTube was conducted. Courses or modules on e-learning platforms, YouTube channels, standalone videos, anatomy atlases, 3D models were considered as learning resources and evaluated. Online materials were classified as structured learning resources if they had a defined syllabus, time duration and instructional design. Resources lacking these characteristics were considered as unstructured ones. Results. Twenty structured learning courses were identified on the Udemy (6 courses), Coursera (3 courses), edX (2 courses), FutureLearn and Khan academy platforms. Learning resources available through Swayam Prabha were aligned with the defined syllabus and video lectures. The content hosted within Clinical Anatomy, Medvizz and Kenhub was eye-catching. Thirty-two YouTube channels offering standalone learning material were identified. Seven resource materials, other than YouTube channels, offered anatomy learning material in the form of charts and tables. Four websites noted to have 3D interactive learning content regarding gross anatomy. Conclusions. During the pandemic-induced lockdown, the list presented in the study may act as guide in selection of the simplest and best materials for those teaching and learning anatomy in medical undergraduate courses. However, in most cases, there is no alignment with standard learning outcomes as defined by medical education regulatory authorities.

Omicron and vaccine booster dose – an update

Mutations in coronavirus is not unheard off. The variant, Omicron B.1.1.529 has overall 50 mutations and is considered as a variant of concern. Though the new variant has shown changes throughout its genome, S gene changes predominate. Significant changes in the S encoding gene, S gene, influences not only the transmissibility properties of SARS-CoV-2 but also the efficacy of existing vaccines. Increased transmissibility and ability of this variant to evade host immune responses conferred either due to past infections or due to vaccination driving increase in number of infections. However, the severity of the infections is low in comparison to its predecessors. A meta-analysis of ten studies analyzing the effect of COVID-19 vaccine booster dose, it was found studies report 10-to-42-fold increase in omicron neutralization. COVID appropriate behaviors, if followed rigidly can bring a meaningful change in the viral spread and resultant health impacts. © 2022, Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine. All rights reserved.