Transitioning to online clerkship during unprecedented times: An innovative online flipped in-patient clerkship

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, innovative instructional design plays a crucial role to reach physically distanced students. This present study examined students’ experience in an online flipped in-patient clerkship which was designed based on the 5E framework emphasising engagement, exploration, explanation, elaboration and evaluation phases. A survey and open-ended questions were employed to understand students’ experience of the online flipped in-patient clerkship. The study found that in the pandemic situation, online flipped in-patient clerkship is an effective solution and their positive themes revolved around four main themes (i) effective and well-designed online content (ii) actual role of the pharmacist in in-patient clerkship (iii) communication (iv) visualising the actual situation. Based on the data, one model that would be able to facilitate and enhance the use of online flipped in-patient clerkship is suggested.