Integration of Virtual and Traditional Medical Education: Scholarship Pivots from the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic required an unprecedented transformation of medical education, shifting from traditional, in-person learning to distanced, online learning. This study aimed to review changes to medical education and describe the advantages and disadvantages of virtual medical education experienced by medical students during the pandemic. Methods: An online survey study was conducted at two medical schools, University of Michigan Medical School in the United States and Koc University School of Medicine in Turkey. Medical students completed questionnaires regarding their educational experience before and during the pandemic. Survey instruments were designed to assess differences in the educational curriculum, study methods, clinical skills self-evaluations, perceptions of the quality of in-person and online learning, and overall satisfaction. Results: A total of 184 medical students completed the survey. There was an increase in the use of online study tools since the pandemic. There was no statistically significant difference in self-reported assessments of clinical preparedness and overall clinical competence during surgical clerkship. The percentage of students interested in pursuing a career in surgery has nearly doubled from 34% to 63%. A majority of students (83%) believed that the time available for self-study and research increased during the pandemic. Fifty-two percent of students believed that online education is less efficacious than in-person education, but 86% of students still preferred a blended approach. Conclusions: Medical schools have continued to update their curricula following the COVID-19 pandemic. This study illustrates the transformations in medical education to ensure that the most effective and suitable teaching is delivered.

Enhanced Recovery after Surgery in Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) principles have received focused attention in breast reconstruction. Many protocols have been described in the literature for both autologous and alloplastic reconstruction. This systematic review serves to better characterize successful ERAS protocols described in the literature for potential ease of adoption at institutions desiring implementation. METHODS: A systematic review of ERAS protocols for autologous and alloplastic breast reconstruction was conducted using Medline, the Cochrane Database, and Web of Science. RESULTS: Eleven cohort studies evaluating ERAS protocols for autologous (n = 8) and alloplastic (n = 3) breast reconstruction were included for review. The majority compared with a retrospective cohort of traditional perioperative care. All studies described the full spectrum of implemented ERAS protocols including preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of care. Most frequently reported significant outcomes were reduced length of stay and opioid use with ERAS implementation. No significant change in major complication or readmission rate was demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Based on this systematic review, several core elements that make up a successful perioperative enhanced recovery protocol for breast reconstruction have been identified. Elements include patient counseling and education, limited preoperative fasting, appropriate thromboprophylaxis and antibiotic prophylaxis dependent on reconstructive method, preoperative antiemetics, multimodal analgesia and use of local anesthetic, goal-directed intravenous fluid management, prompt removal of drains and catheters, early diet advancement, and encouragement of ambulation postoperatively. Implementation of ERAS protocols in both autologous and alloplastic breast reconstruction can positively enhance patient experience and improve outcomes by reducing length of stay and opioid use, without compromising successful reconstructive outcomes.

Facebook Facts: Breast Reconstruction Patient-Reported Outcomes Using Social Media.

BACKGROUND: Social media are used for information sharing among patients with similar health conditions, and analysis of social media activity could inform clinical decision-making. The aim of this study was to use Facebook to evaluate a cohort of individuals' perceptions of and satisfaction with breast reconstruction. METHODS: In this observational study, the authors collected and analyzed posts pertaining to autologous and implant-based breast reconstruction from active Facebook groups. Patient satisfaction data were categorized, and a thematic analysis of posts was conducted. Qualitative posts were grouped based on common themes and quantitatively compared using frequency and chi-square analysis. RESULTS: The authors evaluated 500 posts from two Facebook groups. Two hundred sixty-four posts referenced deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap reconstruction and 117 were related to implant-based reconstruction. Among individuals referencing DIEP flap reconstruction, 52 percent were satisfied, compared with 20 percent of individuals who referenced satisfaction with implant-based reconstruction (p < 0.0001). Individuals posting about DIEP flaps reported a higher rate of unexpected side effects (p < 0.001) and numbness (p = 0.004). When referencing implant-based reconstruction, individuals reported significantly higher rates of infection, contracture, and implant failure (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the authors' review of social media activity, individuals undergoing DIEP flap breast reconstruction expressed relatively high individual satisfaction despite difficult postoperative recovery. Individuals who referenced implant-based reconstruction mentioned infection and implant failure, leading to high rates of dissatisfaction. Social media appear to provide informational and emotional support to patients. Plastic surgeons can use social media to gather unbiased information of patients' experience to inform clinical conversation and guide clinical practice.