Abstract
BACKGROUND: Limited information exists on whether virtual training is equivalent to traditional in-person training in supporting the development of clinical providers. METHODS: A multi-site evaluation using survey methods was conducted with a multidisciplinary group of health professions trainees and supervisors within the Veterans Health Administration to assess the equivalence of two supervision modalities – exclusively in-person supervision and supervision incorporating at least some virtual supervision – on trainee clinical competency development, trainee preparedness to respond to patient emergencies, and effective trainee/supervisor working relationships. RESULTS: Trainees who experienced some virtual supervision rated their clinical competency levels as higher than trainees with only in-person supervision on competencies related to patient care, knowledge for practice, interpersonal and communication skills, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice. This trainee group also rated their level of preparation to respond to patient emergencies and several aspects of their supervisory working relationship more highly than in-person only trainees. Compared to those providing only in-person supervision, supervisors conducting some virtual supervision also rated their trainees as having higher levels of clinical competency on patient care, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice, as well as higher preparedness to respond to patient emergencies. Challenges and benefits to virtual supervision were also noted, though most trainees and supervisors who had participated in virtual supervision held a positive view of this modality. CONCLUSIONS: These data constitute the first evaluation of the equivalency of some virtual and in-person only supervision in supporting trainee skill development and supervisory working relationships based on feedback from trainees and supervisors across multiple clinical disciplines. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12909-025-08062-1.