Abstract:
The aim of this study was to propose alternative approaches to clinical practice that would be effective substitutes for
traditional clinical practice at the bedside of patients during a pandemic. For this purpose, an alternative approach
and a method of determining the effectiveness of its use in medical educational institutions were developed through
the method of synthesis. The level of medical competencies acquired during clinical practice was also assessed. The
effectiveness of the proposed alternative approach is determined through the Pearson’s chi-squared test and Cohen’s
coefficient. This study showed that the distance learning can be introduced through the methods that will allow
medical students to acquire the clinical skills needed to perform their professional duties. In particular, video
discussions of specific clinical cases, viewing videos of clinical procedures, interviews with a virtual patient, video
conferencing, electronic testing, etc. are effective. They allow students to acquire the skills and abilities to conduct a
survey of patients, their physical examination, prescription of additional examinations, interpretation of the results,
performing clinical procedures, making medical records and more. The results of this study suggest that clinical
practice can be realized remotely, if necessary. And the proposed alternative approach to clinical practice allows
students to develop the necessary clinical competencies for future professional activities. This study revealed the
need for further research to develop methods for assessing the clinical competencies of medical students.
