Necessity is the mother of invention: how the COVID-19 pandemic could change medical student placements for the better

ABSTRACT COVID-19 led to the widespread withdrawal of face-to-face hospital-based clinical placements, with many medical schools switching online learning. This precipitated concern about potential negative impact on and interprofessional skill acquisition. To overcome this problem, we piloted a 12-week safe placement for 16 students at Hospital Tropical Diseases, London, during first wave pandemic. infection control measures necessitated that remained in ‘social bubbles’ duration. facilitated an apprenticeship-style teaching approach, integrating into team Team-based learning was adopted develop deliver content. Teaching comprised weekly seminars, experiential ward-based attachments participation quality improvement research projects. The taught content evaluated through qualitative feedback, reflective practice, pre-apprenticeship post-apprenticeship confidence questionnaires across 17 domains. Students’ improved 14 domains (p<0.05). Reflective practice indicated valued apprenticeship model, preferring longer attachment existent shorter, fragmented placements. Students described critical thinking, group cohesion, teamwork, self-confidence, self-worth communication skills. article describes framework effective delivery apprenticeship-based infectious disease Longer have hidden benefits general professional training, which should be explored by both pandemic and, possibly, any future