Virtual implementations to away rotations in otolaryngology during COVID-19

Introduction: The coronavirus pandemic suspended visiting student electives, which are an integral part of how residency applicants and residency programs determine fit prior to interviews and the match. As a result, many institutions were in need of developing ways of implementing remote learning tools, such as virtual clinical experiences. We discuss the many innovations utilized by residency programs to connect with interested students. Method: This study used a systematic review and summary of the clinical literature that described the innovative virtual solutions programs designed to confer the benefits of traditional away rotations in the absence of in-person activity. Results: We analyzed the literature and came up with 7 different innovations used by residency programs to connect with interested students. Those include live-stream surgeries, involvement in telehealth, virtual observation of rounds, involvement in research, invitations to join departmental educational activities, virtual small-group teaching sessions, and virtual residency meeting forums. Conclusion: We believe that postandemic virtual interactions with students will continue and will complement inperson activities. In competitive matches, virtual interaction may lead to earlier mentorship to help students prepare to match into otolaryngology. This, in combination with excellent clinical performance of an in-person visiting student elective, may help applicants find the appropriate fit to a program. Continuing these efforts may allow for earlier connection of students with mentors and an increased awareness of applicants. This will help students of certain backgrounds, including those in medical schools without an academic otolaryngology department and those underrepresented in medicine. This pandemic has highlighted the importance of residency programs to make an effort that ensures a competitive match is more equitable. Ongoing virtual interactions with students for mentorship, recruitment for research, and educational preparation for in-person rotations will help students engage with the field of otolaryngology in the future.