COVID-19 has been a significant disruptor requiring innovation, adaptation, and change management in medical education. The undergraduate medical programme was resumed on 20 April 2020 (during national lockdown), using online learning. Clinical students (fourth- and final-years) have been following a 10-week online theory programme in all the clinical disciplines. Final-year students returned to the UFS during lockdown level four, with all students receiving PPE (personal protective equipment) training in the Clinical Simulation and Skills Unit. Fourth-year students returned during lockdown level three and also received PPE training before resuming clinical rotations for the rest of the year. Adapted rotations, making extensive use of simulation and online training, will be used to assist and support students in completing the 2020 academic year.

Pre-clinical students (first- to third-years) started online learning on 20 April 2020 as well; these students also returned to the UFS Bloemfontein Campus for revision and to catch up on practical and skills training in June 2020, before a final test series and the exams in August 2020. For the rest of 2020, the hard-working, creative, and innovative staff in the Faculty of Health Sciences will be using a blended learning approach to ensure that social distancing and hygiene practices provide student safety, without compromising the quality of training. During the past few months, our undergraduate students have proven that they are flexible, resourceful, self-directed, and responsible, even under considerable uncertainty and anxiety. These are the qualities that we need in our future healthcare professionals!