A SWOT analysis of Italian medical curricular adaptations to the COVID-19 pandemic: A nationwide survey of medical school leaders

Abstract

Background

There is a growing literature on how medical education adapts to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a need to examine the facilitators and barriers of these adaptations. This study explores the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of how Italian medical schools adapted their curricula to the COVID −19 pandemic.

Methods

The authors conducted an online survey of directors of medical curricula in Italy. Free-text responses to open-ended questions about curricular adaptations and reflections on these adaptations were analysed using qualitative thematic analysis.

Results

Twenty out of 60 Italian medical school directors completed the survey. Strengths identified were rapid responses and a spirit of cooperation. Weaknesses included dependency on clinical facilities, teachers’ limited skills to use technology, and lack of mental health support for staff. Opportunities highlighted were clear government rules, new ways of teaching and a renewed focus on underrepresented topics. Threats expressed included impaired relationships, difficulties related to online assessment, lack of IT access, and legal and insurance issues.

Conclusions

This study, in documenting the curricular adaptations of Italian medical schools during an active global pandemic, and recording the perspectives of medical education leaders, offers important lessons for the future.

Keywords:

• International medical education
• change
• undergraduate
• curriculum
• evaluation

Disclosure statement

The authors have no declarations of interest to declare.

Glossary

Distance learning or the related terms/concepts of distance education, e-learning, online education.

We suggest the definition by Simonson et al (2011 - DOI 10.1007/s12528-011-9045-8) “Institution-based, formal education where the learning group is separated, and where interactive telecommunications systems are used to connect learners, resources, and instructors”.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Fabrizio Consorti

Fabrizio Consorti, MD, is specialist in general surgery, professor of surgery at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry of the University Sapienza of Rome, vice-director of a medical curriculum, past President of the Italian Society for Medical Education, consultant for medical education of the Conference of Directors of medical curricula.

Steven L. Kanter

Steven L. Kanter, MD, is president and chief executive officer of the Association of Academic Health Centers/International, a non-profit association dedicated to advancing health and well-being through the values-based leadership of academic health centers.

Stefania Basili

Stefania Basili is a professor of internal medicine at Sapienza University of Rome. She is President of the Conference of Directors of Medical Curricula.

Ming-Jung Ho

Ming-Jung Ho, MD, DPhil, is Associate Director, Center for Innovation and Leadership in Education and a Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Georgetown University Medical Center. She is also Director of Education Research at MedStar Health. Her research focuses on globalization of medical education and cross-cultural professionalism.