How Internal Medicine Residencies Can Integrate Self-Directed Learning in 2024

Over the past three years, programs have transitioned to using more virtual-based learning platforms, either in combination with or in place of face-to-face instruction. As self-directed learning becomes more common, programs are looking for creative ways to use these learning platforms and keep residents engaged.

---

Program directors, chief residents, and Designated Institutional Officials (DIOs) are asking similar questions:

• How do I deliver conferences online?
• Where do I find curricula adapted to virtual learning?
• How do I create a remote learning environment that keeps my residents engaged?
• How do I provide custom assessments to continue to track resident progress?
• How do I use Zoom and Google Hangouts for virtual didactics?
• How do I survive and thrive during budget cuts?

If you currently do not have a virtual learning solution for didactics or you want to enhance what you do have, we can help.

Sign up now to get your program started →

---

Integrating remote learning into your training program is a lot easier than it may seem. You want to maintain your program’s educational needs, and Rosh Review can help you with the art of keeping learners engaged in a remote learning environment.

Virtual conferencing

First, you’ll need a software platform to connect distributed learners. These platforms were once difficult to navigate, but now they are user-friendly and can be easily implemented.

Don’t spend too much time picking a product since they all provide what you need.

These are the most popular platforms:

Zoom (our favorite)
Google Hangouts
Cisco Webex
Uberconference
Blue Jeans

Once you have your software picked out and set up, you can schedule your first remote conference.

Meeting online is not much different than attending an in-person conference. There is a presenter and an audience. Except now, instead of all being in the same room, everyone is in their own location. It looks like this:

Just like an in-person conference, the presenter shares slides, which appear for all the remote attendees in Zoom. Here is an example from a recent remote conference at Johns Hopkins:

Imagine you’re sitting at the kitchen table and this is what you see on your computer screen. You can hear the presenter crystal clear. It’s like being at an in-person conference but with safe social distancing! Moreover, you are able to ask questions to the presenter and interact with the group.

Virtual learning isn’t limited to conferencing—it allows you to continue core content education, small group discussions, and even board review.

---

Self-directed learning with the Rosh Review Qbank

Our online Qbank is one of the most effective tools residents can use to stay engaged in core content education. The advantage is that residents can access content on their own from the comfort of their homes.

---

Virtual training with Rosh Review’s Program Director Dashboard (PD Dash)

As your residents engage with content in their Qbank, all of the data will be fed into your virtual PD Dash and recorded. This will identify residents at risk of falling behind and provide data for your clinical competency committee to use for accreditation with the ACGME.

---

Conducting a virtual board review conference

It is also straightforward to continue preparing for the ABIM Certification Exam with virtual board review sessions. There are many ways to do this.

One option is for the presenter, whether it is a faculty member, chief resident, or resident, to share their screen while all of the residents on the virtual conference listen to the speaker review questions. It could look something like this:

Another way to conduct virtual board review is to assign your residents a select number of questions to complete before the conference and then review these during the conference.

A powerful tool in your PD Dash is the heatmap, which you can use to identify specific questions you want to review during your virtual conference. Here is an example:

---

Using self-directed learning for remediation

From your PD Dash, easily identify residents who are performing below average in specific areas of the ABIM content blueprint and remotely assign them additional assessments as a form of remediation.

For example, if three of your residents are scoring below the program mean in nephrology, simply assign a block of 20 nephrology questions and comprehensive explanations and measure their performance. All it takes is a few clicks!

---

Supporting you and your residents through virtual learning

Thank you for the sacrifices you, your residents, nurses, and entire clinical staff make on a daily basis to protect and care for our families and friends. Your work inspires us to creatively use our strengths to support your needs.

Please sign up here, or let us know if we can remove any obstacles you experience with remote learning.