Huskie Voices

Danica Billingsly, clinical assistant professor of audiology

“Because we bridge healthcare practice and healthcare education in the Doctor of Audiology program, we moved very quickly last spring (2020) to protect our patients and our students. We completed simulation-based trainings with students, used specialized software to conduct mock evaluations, met for hours every week to discuss procedures and cases, and collaborated with other programs to develop protocols for telehealth consultations. Despite this, the spark and flow were off, dimmed. We weren’t able to pause in the hallway outside an exam room for a quick conversation. We couldn’t exchange a quick look to decide on the next action. The video-appointment setting didn’t permit a slow focus on nuance. Now that we are back in person, my students can recognize a clinical sign, suggest a test and immediately go to the necessary equipment to complete the test. Even more, though, the sheer physical presence of sitting next to each other—even with distancing—and looking in the same direction has a completely different social feel than looking at each other through the camera. Each brought its own form of vulnerability, but there is particular type of connected learning that can happen side by side in mentored clinic that doesn’t have a virtual replacement.” —Dr. Billingsly, the audiology clinical director, returned to in-person teaching in specified labs during the fall of 2020

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