ABSTRACT
Introduction: Owing to limited clinical clerkships and travel restrictions related to COVID-19, recent medical student mentorship in orthopaedic surgery has been impacted negatively. The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to determine if medical student awareness of orthopaedics as a possible career field may be improved through a mentoring program designed and delivered by orthopaedic residents. Methods: A five-resident QI team developed four educational sessions aimed at a medical student audience. Forum topics included: (1) orthopaedics as a career, (2) fracture conference, (3) splinting workshop, and (4) residency application process. Pre- and post-forum surveys were administered to student participants to assess changes in their perceptions regarding orthopaedic surgery. Data derived from the questionnaires were analyzed with nonparametric statistical tests. Results: Of 18 forum participants, 14 were men and 4 were women. A total of 40 survey pairs were collected, averaging 10 per session. In the all-participant encounter analysis, there were statistically significant improvements in all outcome measures including interest in, exposure to, and knowledge of orthopaedics; exposure to our training program; and ability to interact with our residents. Those undecided regarding their specialty demonstrated larger increases in post-forum responses, suggesting that the learning experience was more impactful for that subgroup. Conclusions: This QI initiative was a successful demonstration of orthopaedic resident mentorship of medical students, wherein perceptions of orthopaedics were influenced favorably by the educational experience. For some students with limited access to orthopaedic clerkships or formal one-on-one mentoring, forums like these may be an acceptable alternative.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2) causing COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) continues to be widespread in Kansas. County health departments are trying to contain this pandemic. METHODS: This second survey of Kansas county health department directors occurred from August 7 to September 7, 2020. Since the first survey in April, there have been significant increases in the number of positive cases of COVID-19 and related deaths. Thus, the aim of the study was to re-evaluate county-level containment efforts and assess shortfalls that were identified in the April 2020 survey. RESULTS: In total, 41 out of 105 directors responded to the survey. Generally, respondents said there were increased supplies for testing, increased testing centers, shorter time to get test results, and in some cases, increased funding. However, the number of people involved in contact tracing had not increased substantially, which was one of the recommended changes for improving containment. Moreover, of those persons who were tested, only a few (18%) counties inquired if they wear masks in public. From comments reported, there was a sense of employees being overwhelmed, especially among the smaller county health departments. CONCLUSION: As the cases of and deaths from COVID-19 are increasing in the state, especially in high density areas, the respondents to our survey indicated there was continued need for additional funding with easy access, increased staffing, especially for contact tracing, and significant help for effective messaging to improve adherence to public health directives.