We recognize that medical students are valued members of the health care team and that you gain critical learning in clinical settings early in your education. After receiving appropriate training, you may observe or be involved in the care of patients with a variety of communicable diseases, including influenza, measles, TB, HCV and HIV. However, since we do not yet have well-established data on transmissibility/morbidity/ mortality of COVID-19 and since it is likely that there will be a limited supply of PPE, UMass Chan has determined, aligned with AAMC recommendations, that medical students should NOT be involved in direct care of patients with known or suspected cases of COVID-19 at this time. This includes collection of respiratory specimens to rule out COVID-19; medical students should not participate in collecting those specimens.

Other than limiting direct care of COVID-19 patients, you should continue in your roles as part of the healthcare team, unless otherwise instructed. As is always the case, any student who has any sort of illness will be asked to stay home to avoid spreading that illness to other healthcare professionals.

Update: as of 3/15/20, medical students will not participate in the ED shifts as part of ECPS. This will be reassessed weekly, next update to be provided on 3/22/20.