• Available by subscription as of July 1, 2023, as part of Aquifer’s Clinical Excellence Case Sets
• Short cases using videos to model best practices, communication techniques, and management guidelines
• Ready-made course for self-directed learning that provides a strong basis from which to develop clinical skills
• Proven pedagogy that standardizes experiences—overcoming geography, seasonality, and accessibility
• Evidence-based, peer-reviewed, and continuously updated content
• A wealth of source material, embedded reflection questions, and full references in each case
• Delivered via the Aqueduct teaching and learning platform, which includes user management tools, easy reporting on student progress and course usage, plus tools to create custom courses to match a specific curriculum

These short cases are a quick and easy way for students to become familiar with the principles and practice of telemedicine through self-directed learning. The cases provide a key base of knowledge, guiding learners through building a patient history based on clinical condition, performing a physical exam, and how to manage a patient and escalate care through telemedicine. In total, all four cases should take students less than an hour to complete, providing a fast, effective tool for faculty to incorporate this rapidly expanding facet of healthcare into their teaching.

Content for these cases is aligned with AAMC telemedicine competencies. Cases were authored and peer-reviewed by medical educator members of the Society for the Teaching of Family Medicine (STFM) and the Clerkship Directors in Internal Medicine (CDIM).

Foundations in Telemedicine provides an efficient solution for covering telemedicine, saving faculty time by providing access to high-quality, ready-made course materials.

Coming July 1: New Module & Course Structure

All Clinical Excellence Case Sets, including Foundations of Telemedicine, will follow a new course structure.

Students being with a principles module which covers key definitions, epidemiology, explanations of key principles and why they are important for patient care, and a harm statement that makes it explicit what harm can come to the patient if the principle is not incorporated into practice.

After completing the principles module, students unlock additional application cases (the existing Foundations of Telemedicine cases) that explore realistic case scenarios. Application cases are concise and focus on one area of a patient encounter, and are centered around asking students to make important clinical decisions. Content models evidence-based best practices and communication strategies, exploring the real-world impacts on care and potential harm. At the end of each case, a reflection question asks the students to consider key takeaways, implications for their future practice, or personal wellness. Each application case also includes self-assessment questions that extend the learning to other scenarios.

Aquifer Foundations of Telemedicine is designed for any level student in a medical school or health professions program. The course is an ideal assignment for students to complete as preparation for clinical experiences that include telemedicine. Cases also serve as valuable reference material for students to return to as they need to refresh their knowledge during clinical rotations.

Programs with a current Aquifer subscription will also have faculty and administrator access to an accompanying educator guide. Subscribers will also be able to view student progress reporting and combine the new cases with other Aquifer content in a custom course.

Case 1: Introduction to Telemedicine

• List the benefits and indications for telemedicine visits.
• List the types of visits that are appropriate for telemedicine encounters.
• Describe how to prepare the environment for a telemedicine visit.
• Define the components of consent for a telemedicine encounter.
• Discuss barriers to using telemedicine to provide care.
• List documentation needed for a telemedicine encounter.

Case 2: Building a History

• Discuss methods to ensure appropriate “telepresence” during a telemedicine encounter.
• Compare and contrast building a history during in-person and telemedicine visits.

Case 3: Performing a Physical Exam

• List strategies to optimize the physical examination during telemedicine visits.
• Compare types of physical examination approaches that are appropriate for telemedicine visits.

Case 4: Escalating Care

• Proactively consider the potential need to triage from telemedicine to in-person.
• Identify appropriate history elements to obtain during a telemedicine visit.
• Discuss indications and methods to escalate care.
• Accurately report history and physical findings from a telemedicine encounter.