Virtual WIL Clinics in Medicine: Overcoming the COVID-19 Challenge

In the current context of COVID-19 restrictions, the perceived infection risk in healthcare facilities has resulted in limited opportunities for clinical placements. This paper aims to demonstrate how virtual WIL clinics (virtual simulated general practice clinics), provide an authentic clinical experience and to ascertain whether these virtual clinics allow the practice of generic WIL competencies. The clinics provide students with WIL experience without the face-to-face contact of a physical clinic via telehealth. The practice of WIL through virtual WIL clinics at James Cook University, Australia, is assessed using the Work Skill Development (WSD) framework via GoSoapBox surveys. Students surveyed (N=66) expressed a high level of motivation to engage, reflect and learn through this medium. The survey also highlighted some possible areas of improvement in time management and communication. Virtual WIL clinics are a suitable substitution for WIL clinical activity and ideally suited to the COVID-19 context.