970. Medical Student Engagement with the COVID-19 Pandemic Is Increased Through Participation in a Preclinical Elective

Abstract Background The medical field’s response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic required a multifaceted approach. Medical students were often excluded from the initial phases of pandemic response, resulting in feelings of disengagement. This study aimed to determine if offering educational experiences on current events related to the COVID-19 pandemic could increase medical students’ understanding of, and engagement with, the pandemic. Methods In Fall 2020, an elective course reviewing several aspects of the COVID-19 response was implemented. Preclinical medical students attended a discussion-based seminar series given by expert faculty on a variety of topics including pathophysiology, vaccine development, telemedicine, and others. Upon course completion, students were asked to complete a survey quantifying their understanding of the overall COVID-19 response, understanding of various individual facets of the response, and feelings of personal engagement on a Likert scale from 1-5, with 5 representing the most understanding or engagement. The differences in pre-course and post-course mean scores were compared using a Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test for each question. Results A total of 65 students completed the course; 35 (54%) students filled out the final course survey. Results showed significant improvement in students’ perceived holistic understanding of the pandemic response (2.67 pre-course vs. 4.36 post-course; p < 0.001), and their feelings of personal engagement (3.06 pre-course vs. 4.33 post-course; p < 0.001). Students also reported significantly increased feelings of understanding for each individual facet of the pandemic response reviewed during the course (8 questions total, all p-values < 0.001). Conclusion Preclinical medical student participation in a course reviewing COVID-19 pandemic response significantly increased feelings of engagement with and understanding of the medical field’s response to the pandemic. Students showed improved understanding of each aspect of the pandemic response that was covered in the elective. Therefore, it appears that seminar- and discussion-based electives can be a useful tool for fostering preclinical student engagement in current events in medicine. Disclosures Prathit A. Kulkarni, M.D., Vessel Health, Inc. (Grant/Research Support)

This fluxogram, written in portuguese, describes in detail all the possible courses of actions that can be exercised by the player. It is created by a team of Professors of Medicine and medical students, in accordance with evidence-based guidelines. Primarily, this document guides the programmers and designers throughout the development phase of the game.
Results. Initially, an expandable minimum viable product was obtained. The game, visualized on image 2, consists in a non-playable character and a playable character (i.e. doctor), with a scenario and a dialogue script simulating a clinical examination of a COVID 19 patient. The player can interact with certain elements within the game, e.g. the computer and other characters, to retrieve test results or start dialogues with relevant information.
Hospital scenario and dialogue window between doctor (player in black) and patient (non playable character) are displayer in the game engine software (Unity 2D). On the bottom half of the screen, the dialogue box allows the player to collect the patient's medical history. The player can interact with certain elements to obtain relevant information to make decision and progress in the game.
Conclusion. The game allows medical students to practice diagnosis and treatment of COVID 19. Future versions will include assessment reports of player's actions, and a new score system will be implemented. New diseases will be incorporated in the gameplay to match the variety of scenarios offered by real hospitals and patients. Artificial intelligence will be employed to optimize gameplay, feedback and learning.
Disclosures. Background. The medical field's response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic required a multifaceted approach. Medical students were often excluded from the initial phases of pandemic response, resulting in feelings of disengagement. This study aimed to determine if offering educational experiences on current events related to the COVID-19 pandemic could increase medical students' understanding of, and engagement with, the pandemic.
Methods. In Fall 2020, an elective course reviewing several aspects of the COVID-19 response was implemented. Preclinical medical students attended a discussion-based seminar series given by expert faculty on a variety of topics including pathophysiology, vaccine development, telemedicine, and others. Upon course completion, students were asked to complete a survey quantifying their understanding of the overall COVID-19 response, understanding of various individual facets of the response, and feelings of personal engagement on a Likert scale from 1-5, with 5 representing the most understanding or engagement. The differences in pre-course and post-course mean scores were compared using a Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test for each question.
Results. A total of 65 students completed the course; 35 (54%) students filled out the final course survey. Results showed significant improvement in students' perceived holistic understanding of the pandemic response (2.67 pre-course vs. 4.36 post-course; p < 0.001), and their feelings of personal engagement (3.06 pre-course vs. 4.33 postcourse; p < 0.001). Students also reported significantly increased feelings of understanding for each individual facet of the pandemic response reviewed during the course (8 questions total, all p-values < 0.001).
Conclusion. Preclinical medical student participation in a course reviewing COVID-19 pandemic response significantly increased feelings of engagement with and understanding of the medical field's response to the pandemic. Students showed improved understanding of each aspect of the pandemic response that was covered in the elective. Therefore, it appears that seminar-and discussion-based electives can be a useful tool for fostering preclinical student engagement in current events in medicine.

Online Medical Education Improves Knowledge of Data on Appropriate and Timely Use of Influenza Antiviral Medications to Patients at High Risk for Influenza-Related Complications and Morbidity
Allison Armagan, PharmD; Roderick Smith, MS; Medscape, New York, New York

Session: P-54. Infectious Diseases Medical Education
Background. Many patients are at a higher risk of influenza complications because of age and comorbidities. We sought to assess whether online education, focused on appropriate and timely use of influenza antiviral medications to patients at high risk for influenza-related complications and morbidity, could improve knowledge, competence, and confidence of clinicians.
Methods. Primary care physicians (PCPs) and pediatricians participated in a 30-minute video lecture with synchronized slides. Educational effect was assessed using a repeated-pairs design with pre-/post-assessment. Three multiple choice questions assessed knowledge/competence, and 1 question assessed confidence. Statistical tests to assess significance: Paired samples t-test for overall average number of correct responses and for confidence rating; McNemar's test for individual questions (5% significance level, P < .05). Cohen's d estimated the effect size impact on number of correct responses (< .20 modest, .20-.49 small, .59-.79 moderate, ≥.80 large). Data were collected from 10/28/20 to 12/23/20.
Results. Average knowledge/competence improved from 29% to 43% (N=430, P< .001, Cohen's d = 0.46) among primary care physicians and from 31% to 43% (N=226, P< .001, Cohen's d = 0.38) among pediatricians. Post participation, 12% more PCPs and pediatricians answered all questions correctly. Relative improvements post-participation in specific areas were as follows (P< .001): (i) 105% improvement among PCPs and 100% improvement among pediatricians in findings associated with the efficacy of treatment with antivirals for influenza in hospitalized patients. (ii) 117% improvement among PCPs and 104% improvement among pediatricians in identifying the antiviral with the greatest activity against influenza B viral strain as reported in a phase 3 clinical trial. (iii) 34% of PCPs and 46% of pediatricians had a measurable improvement in confidence after completing the program.
Conclusion. This study demonstrated the success of a video lecture with synchronized slides at improving PCPs and pediatricians knowledge, competence and