Perception among ophthalmologists about webinars as a method of continued medical education during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Purpose: To ascertain ophthalmologist‘s perceptions about webinars as a method of continued medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, a 21-question survey was circulated using digital media platform to approximately 1400 ophthalmologists in India between 16 th August 2020 to 31 st August 2020. The questionnaire focussed on the quality and usefulness of webinars based on the Bloom‘s taxonomy. The responses (on 4- or 5-point Likert scale) were analyzed among three professional groups- ophthalmologists in-training, consultants in public sector, and private practitioners. Results: 393 ophthalmologists participated in the survey, with a response rate of 28%. The mean age was 34.6 ± 9.7 years, and males constituted 49.6% (199/393) of the respondents. Forty-seven percent of the respondents perceived the quality of webinars as good or excellent (185/393), 72.8% reported knowledge gain from webinars (286/393), and 63.9% felt that webinars are important in clinical practice and should continue post-COVID-19 pandemic (251/393), with distinct responses among the professional groups. The drawbacks perceived were overt number of webinars (371; 94.4%), confusion regarding which webinars to attend (313; 79.6%), repetition of the information (296; 75.3%), limited opportunity for participant interaction (146; 37.2%) and disparate weightage to the core disciplines of Ophthalmology. Conclusion: Most respondents had favorable perceptions of Ophthalmology webinars happening during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is need for improvisation in the volume of webinars, target-audience-based delivery, and participant interaction to add value to this new dimension of teaching-learning.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Ophthalmology Residents: A Narrative Review

“…In a survey study conducted in India [ 13 ], trainees were instructed to quantify the impact of the pandemic on their training program: the effect on classroom/theoretical learning was assessed as less than 50%, in contrast to their surgical training, which most trainees (62.4%) felt had decreased by 50% or more. Approximately 75% of respondents found ophthalmology webinars and online classes conducted during this lockdown period to be useful [ 27 ]. Similarly, Saudi Arabian ophthalmology trainee feedback on web-based training during the COVID-19 pandemic suggested that more than half of the trainees were satisfied or highly satisfied [ 11 ].…”

“…They revealed that 74% of residents preferred webinars based on their residency curriculum with clinical problem-solving as the specific area of interest (40.9%) and the ideal duration of webinars between 60 and 120 min [ 13 ]. Similarly, regarding the usefulness of the abovementioned online teaching method, a cross-sectional study conducted by Rana et al [ 27 ] revealed that most (72.8%) of surveyed ophthalmologists reported a knowledge gain from webinars, with nearly half of the respondents assessing them as good to excellent, with retina- and cataract-themed webinars as the most beneficial. However, most of the respondents stated that there was a repetition of the same topics in the webinars and admitted to becoming confused regarding “which webinars to attend and which not to”.…”

“…Similarly, in a study conducted by Dasgupta et al [ 28 ], more than half of the surveyed residents (54%) preferred to attend webinars after the COVID-19 pandemic and nearly 43% of them felt that webinars should run parallel with face-to-face classroom teaching. In a study conducted by Rana et al [ 27 ], the majority of respondents felt that webinars should continue after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the authors emphasize the need for improvisation in the current pattern of webinars considering inter alia the linking of webinars to ophthalmology boards, a better presenter–attendee interaction, and the novelty of content.…”

Education and Training Adaptations for Health Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review of Lessons Learned and Innovations

“…Four studies noted increased self-reported and objective knowledge of disaster preparedness following virtual training [80,81]. Participants agreed on the continued importance of webinars for clinical practice post-pandemic [82,83].…”

“…Conversely, Ismail et al reported that physicians across various specialties felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of webinars during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting the need for guidelines and regulations for web-based meetings [21]. An excessive number of webinars, repetitive information, and low participant engagement led to stress among ophthalmologists in a study conducted in India [83]. Additionally, web-based education faced challenges in providing appropriate personal interactions with peer groups due to technological issues, unstable internet connections, and insufficient computer facilities [106,107] (Tables 3 and 4).…”