Evaluation of the first year of the Oxpal Medlink: A web-based partnership designed to address specific challenges facing medical education in the occupied Palestinian territories.

ObjectivesTo (1) evaluate educational needs of clinical students at Al-Quds University Medical School in the West Bank; (2) address these needs where possible using synchronous distance learning, with clinicians in Oxford providing case-based tutorials to undergraduates in the West Bank via an online platform (WizIQ) and (3) assess the impact of this education.DesignReview of online OxPal Medlink database for tutorials held between March 2012 and April 2013. Needs assessment and evaluation of student and tutor experiences through online questionnaires, focus groups and semi-structured interviews.SettingOxford University Hospitals, Oxford, UK, and Al-Quds University Medical School, Abu Dies, Palestine.ParticipantsDoctors at Oxford University Hospitals and fourth-, fifth- and sixth-year medical students and faculty members at Al-Quds Medical School.Main outcome measuresNumber of tutorials, student participation, student-rated satisfaction and qualitative feedback from tutors and students.ResultsStudents dem...