TABLE IV.

Recommendations for a Successful Virtual Rotation Based on our Initial Experience and Participant Feedback

Minimize burden of time commitment

Limit required rotation activities to a suggested 1-2 hours per day and an overall duration of 2 weeks

Thoughtfully schedule activities (consider differences in time zones and concomitant in-person clerkships)

Low threshold to make events optional if not geared toward students or at inconvenient times

Maximize networking opportunities and insight into program culture

Maintain small group sizes (breakout rooms can be a useful adjunct)

Include a variety of faculty and resident participants

Provide multiple opportunities for resident-only interactions

Incorporate social activities

One-on-one mentorship (resident and/or faculty)

Clear guidance on their role before rotation start date

Dedicate times for check in at start and/or middle of rotation

Didactic sessions geared toward student education

Case-based format for enhanced student participation

Provide prereading questions or learning objectives for each session

Consider involvement from both faculty and residents for greater insight into faculty-resident dynamics

Student case presentations for formal evaluation of student characteristics

Maintain similar format to presentations by in-person rotators (if applicable) for more comparable assessments

Provide clear guidance on format at the beginning of rotation

Accommodate limitations to medical record access at home institution

General/other considerations

Distribute schedule to participants as early as possible

Provide clear expectations for attendance and instructions on how to address schedule conflicts

Consider unique program characteristics that may influence feasibility and optimal format of rotation activities

Maximize virtual engagement by encouraging camera use and confirm technology is working appropriately