Teaching strategies and outcomes in 3 different times of the COVID-19 pandemic through a dynamic assessment of medical skills and wellness of surgical trainees.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic had a substantial impact on surgical training programs. This study describes the teaching strategies and outcomes in 3 different times of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic through a dynamic assessment of medical skills and well-being of trainees. METHODS: Three surveys were administered during 2020 to general surgery residents and fellows in a university hospital in Argentina. Perceptions on the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 were described. The stress rate and risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: The study included 124 answers. In total, 59% were men, 82% of trainees reported concerns about the loss of surgical skills in early phase 1. Time spent with academic activities increased in 94.5% of the cases. Owing to the prompt implementation of changes, by the end of 2020, 73% participated in a greater number of procedures (P = .003); personal protective equipment use related problems dropped from 40% to 14% (P = .031), and the lack of adequate spaces where trainees could express reduced from 28% to zero. Half of the trainees felt stressed, and 18% required psychological assistance; reporting problems with personal protective equipment use was identified as a risk factor (P = .012). CONCLUSION: Assessing trainees' perceptions at 3 different times of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic enabled the implementation of dynamic changes. The negative impact on surgical training was partially offset by the optimal use of virtual learning. Half of them felt stressed, identifying problems in the use of personal protective equipment as a predisposing factor.

Evaluación Remota de Aprendizajes en la Universidad: decisiones docentes para encarar un nuevo desafío

La pandemia por COVID-1Q y la suspensión de actividades presenciales enfrentó a las universidades con el desafío de remotizar sus funciones. Este trabajo se propone caracterizar propuestas de evaluación de aprendizajes diseñadas, al inicio del confinamiento, por docentes de grado y posgrado de ciencias de la salud en el contexto de una propuesta de Formación para la Virtualización de la Enseñanza (FVE) de un Instituto Universitario. Este estudio descriptivointerpretativo analiza, desde un enfoque cualitativo, 51 planificaciones docentes de evaluación remota elaboradas en el contexto de la formación ofrecida. Las mismas se organizaron en una matriz documental para su categorización e identificación de rasgos prevalentes en estos diseños didácticos con el fin de construir hipótesis interpretativas. Se evidencian propuestas diversas que mayormente evalúan los aprendizajes con intención de acreditar saberes. Prevalecen diseños de evaluación individual con un uso activo del conocimiento ligado a prácticas académicas y profesionales. Un gran porcentaje prevé su desarrollo en forma asincrónica, mediados por la escritura y con el uso de un amplio repertorio de herramientas digitales. Estas propuestas jerarquizan el andamiaje docente a estudiantes durante el proceso de evaluación. Finalmente, se sistematizan los campos emergentes que estructuraron el diseño de las propuestas de evaluación remota de los aprendizajes. Se genera así un insumo para pensar las prácticas evaluativas en el contexto de remotización de la enseñanza. Esperamos que esta contribución trascienda el escenario actual para identificar potencialidades ante la construcción de propuestas híbridas en la post pandemia y en otras disciplinas universitarias.Alternate abstract:The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent suspension of on-site academic activity faced universities with the challenge of performing their duties remotely. The study's aim is to characterize learning assessment proposals designed, at the beginning of the lockdown, by graduate and postgraduate health sciences teachers. These proposals were developed in the context of a University Institute teacher-training program on virtualizing education. By using a qualitative approach, this descriptive-interpretative study characterizes 51 remote learning assessment proposals made by teachers taking the course. In order to construct interpretative hypotheses, a matrix for their categorization was created to identify the prevalence of pedagogical traits in the designs. An array of different proposals were evidenced, most of which were to assess learning with the intention of certifying knowledge. Individual learning assessments prevailed, mostly favoring an active use of knowledge associated with academic and professional practices. A high percentage of teachers planned asynchronous activities by means of writing and the use of a broad array of digital tools. They also prioritized teacher interventions during the assessment process as a scaffolding for the students. Finally, there was a systematization of the emerging characteristics that structured the designs of remote learning assessment proposals. This provides an input toward reflecting on assessment practices in the context of remote teaching. We hope this contribution transcends the current scenario and helps identify potentials for the development of hybrid assessment practices in post pandemic times.