Korean J Transplant.  2021 Oct;35(Supple 1):S28. 10.4285/ATW2021.OR-1061.

New technologies applied to master education in the time of COVID-19

• Balleste C
• Coll A
• Valero R
• Paredes D
• Diekmann F
• Torregrosa V
• Colmenero J

• KMID: 2521239
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4285/ATW2021.OR-1061

Abstract

Background
Since 2004 a master degree in donation and transplantation has been offered by Donation and Transplantation Institute (DTI) Foundation in collaboration with the University of Barcelona. Since 2011, the program had a blended modular structure: Donation, Transplantation, Management, Tissue Banking, and Internship (IS). In 2020, due to COVID-19, it was adapted to be online. The aim is to analyse the impact of the pandemics on grades and student’s satisfaction.
Methods
Until 2019, face to face included the IS, theoretical sessions, simulations, cases debate and group exercises. Since 2020, theoretical sessions have been included in the virtual classroom and practical simulations have been replaced by live sessions. Immersive training (IT) has been employed to substitute IS and family approach (FA) workshop. For IS, a virtual reality tour to a simulated tertiary Spanish hospital. In FA experience, students can virtually meet with patient’s family and practice their communication skills. In February 2021 only Donation module has been completed, therefore data are organized in two periods, 2011–2019 and 2020, and the grades obtained in the Organ donation module and the students’ satisfaction are evaluated.
Results
In 2011–2019, the average grade in Donation was 8.07/10 and in 2020 the score was 8.08/10. In 2011–2019 the Donation module has been evaluated with an average of 9.58/10. In 2020 the evaluation was 9.36/10. Comparative results indicate slight difference in the values, demonstrating stability despite the difficulties by the pandemic.
Conclusions
The inclusion of new technologies has been essential to keep offering high quality international educational programs. Further exploring of technologies may also improve efficiency.