Rethinking the role of senior medical students in the COVID-19 response

• Published in: Medical Journal of Australia Vol. 212; no. 10; p. 490
• Main Authors: Wang, Jim H-S, Tan, Sarah, Raubenheimer, Kyle
• Format: Journal Article Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: Australia John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.06.2020
• Subjects: Betacoronavirus; Coronavirus Infections - epidemiology; COVID-19; Education, Medical, Undergraduate; Humans; Medical Staff, Hospital - education; Medical students; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral - epidemiology; Professional Role; SARS-CoV-2; Students, Medical; COVID-19; Epidemics; Education, graduate; Education, distance
• ISSN: 1326-5377
• DOI: 10.5694/mja2.50601

Australia has enacted public health measures to reduce the number and severity of cases.1 These measures, alongside disease burden, profoundly impact the health care system. The graduation of over 10 000 Italian final year students has been expedited to supplement the overburdened workforce.2 In the United Kingdom, the Medical Schools Council has encouraged prioritising qualification of final year students to support the over‐encumbered National Health Service.2 Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand recognises the value of final year medical students, releasing a statement outlining appropriate roles.3 These involve routine aspects of care independent of the COVID‐19 response, in various clinical settings with which students are already familiar. [...]with clinical placements being disrupted, senior students may gain valuable practical exposure aligned with course requirements. [...]additional work hours may impede formal medical education; academic penalties should not be levied, on‐the‐job learning should be duly acknowledged, and accessibility of course materials should be maximised.