Virtual precepting case report and qualitative analysis: Resident precepting via innovative use of technology

Technology has revolutionized the education of medical residents. "Virtual precepting" is a new and innovative use of combined audiovisual technologies to enhance both resident education and patient care simultaneously. After obtaining informed consent, a resident-patient encounter is observed by real-time video monitoring from a remote room by a preceptor Feedback is then provided to the resident by a preceptor, in real time, via a private earpiece worn by the resident and a closed circuit microphone utilized by the preceptor This article contains an illustrative case plus summary of qualitative analysis demonstrating the positive impact of virtual precepting on both resident education and patient care at St Francis/University of Connecticut Family Practice Residency Program in Hartford, Conn.