Medical Education during the COVID-19: A Review of Guidelines and Policies Adapted during the 2020 Pandemic

Abstract

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has dramatically changed education systems as most governments around the world closed schools to prevent outbreaks on campus. Medical education was not immune from these policies, and medical students were deprived of opportunities, particularly in clinical training. To determine how countries worldwide have responded to the pandemic, we conducted a literature review of the policies and guidelines of four countries: Japan, the United States (USA), the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia, as well as case reports of faculty and medical students up to September, 2020. Although the methods of implementation were unique to each country, the concept of "returning medical students to live education as quickly and safely as possible" was common. However, the extent to which students and faculty members became engaged in the treatment process of COVID-19 varied. While some countries endorsed students to work as members of medical staff to treat COVID-19, other countries took measures to ensure the safety of both medical students and patients. We await further reports worldwide in order to better understand the strategies employed by different nations in preparation for future possible infection outbreaks.

Keywords: COVID-19; clinical clerkship; medical education; medical students.

Figure 1

Policies for medical education from January to August, 2020 in Japan. Information was distributed from governments and other institutions in charge of medical education. (MEXT: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology).

Figure 2

Policies for medical education from January to August, 2020 in United Kingdom. Information was distributed from governments and other institutions in charge of medical education. (PHE: Public Health England; GMC: General Medical Council; MSC: Medical Schools Council).

Figure 3

Policies for medical education from January to August, 2020 in United States. Information was distributed from governments and other institutions in charge of medical education. (AAMC: Association of American Medical Colleges; AMA: American Medical Association).

Figure 4

Policies for medical education from January to August, 2020 in Australia. Information was distributed from governments and other institutions in charge of medical education. (AHPRA: Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency).