Harvard Medical School uses telemedicine as a way forward
When the COVID-19 pandemic prompted Harvard Medical School (HMS) to move learning online in March, faculty moved swiftly, developing new curriculum approaches, sometimes within hours, allowing educators to continue to teach classes and ensure that students are achieving learning objectives remotely. But, among Harvard Schools, they had some unique challenges. Part of the process of teaching medical students how to fully assess their patients’ conditions requires human touch — and that can’t be done remotely. “What is missing is the actual laying on of hands. We can use all of our other senses, but the ability to lay hands on and connect with a patient that way just can’t be replicated with virtual learning,” said John Dalrymple, associate dean for medical education quality improvement in the program in medical education. “You can use your eyes and your ears a lot more, but just that physical connection … There’s no way to replicate that...