Access, an unintended consequence of virtual continuing medical education during COVID-19: a department's experience at the University of Toronto

Kisilevsky, Eli; Margolin, Edward; Kohly, Radha P.

doi:10.1016/j.jcjo.2020.10.002

Cited by 19 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Despite these shortcomings, our results showed that virtual conferences improved overall accessibility by mitigating financial, geographic, and scheduling barriers and are in keeping with observations made from other virtual conferences. 6,7,[19][20][21][22] Ease of accessibility is important not just for increased dissemination of information, but also to improve representation of groups traditionally underrepresented in in-person conferences such as individuals with young children. 23 In our study, the increase in inclusivity and diversity was demonstrated by a statistically significant increased variety in geographical attendance of the virtual Internal Medicine conference.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of perceived educational value of an in-person versus virtual medical conference

et al. 2021

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Purpose: Though prior literature has shown that virtual conferences improve accessibility and provide a comparable educational experience, further research is required to characterize their educational value. Methods: In this repeated cross-sectional study, demographic and survey data were compared between attendance perspectives for the in-person student-led internal medicine conference held in 2019 and subsequent virtual conference held in 2020. Results: There were 146 attendees at the in-person conference and 200 attendees at the online conference, in which 32 (22% response rate) and 52 responses (26% response rate) were gathered, respectively. Comparison of Likert Scale data via Mann-Whitney U Test revealed that learning objectives were better met in-person for the overall conference (p < 0.01) and didactic sessions (p < .05), but not for workshops, in which there was no significant difference. Survey takers noted the virtual conference to be more accessible on multiple factors, but felt as though their potential for interaction with other participants was more limited. Conclusions: Results indicate that though the virtual conference appeared more accessible to attendees, overall learning objectives for the conference and didactic sessions were better met in-person. Interestingly however, there was no observed difference in perceived educational value for small group workshops.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of perceived educational value of an in-person versus virtual medical conference

et al. 2021

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“…This technique also demonstrates previously unperceived advantages to virtual learning over face-to-face conference attendance, such as improved equity of access. 3,17…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A report on virtual ‘Can’t intubate, can’t oxygenate’ conference workshops at the 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists

Rees

O'Halloran

Fitzsimons

et al. 2021

Anaesth Intensive Care

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The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound implications for continuing medical education. Travel restrictions, lockdowns and social distancing in an effort to curb spread have meant that medical conferences have been postponed or cancelled. When the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists made the decision to commit to a fully virtual 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting, the organising committee investigated the viability of presenting a virtual ‘Can’t intubate, can’t oxygenate’ workshop. A workshop was designed comprising a lecture, case scenario discussion and demonstration of emergency front-of-neck access techniques broadcast from a central hub before participants separated into Zoom® (Zoom Video Communications, San Jose, CA, USA) breakout rooms for hands-on practice, guided by facilitators working virtually from their own home studios. Kits containing equipment including a 3D printed larynx, cannula, scalpel and bougie were sent to workshop participants in the weeks before the meeting. Participants were asked to complete pre- and post-workshop surveys. Of 42 participants, 32 responded, with the majority rating the workshop ‘better than expected’. All except two respondents felt the workshop met learning objectives. Themes of positive feedback included being impressed with the airway model, the small group size, content and delivery. Feedback focused on previously unperceived advantages of virtual technical skills workshops, including convenience, equitable access and the reusable airway model. Disadvantages noted by respondents included lack of social interaction, inability to trial more expensive airway equipment, and some limitations of the ability of facilitators to review participants’ technique. Despite limitations, in our experience, virtual workshops can be planned with innovative solutions to deliver technical skills education successfully.

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“…Webinars were relied heavily on as an instructional modality during the pandemic and proved to be beneficial to both speakers and participants. Accessibility is identified as an unintended consequence of a virtual CPD (James et al, 2022;Kisilevsky et al, 2021) as participation would only require a strong internet connection and proper mobile phone or computer (Nair, 2020), thus removing the need for travel (James et al, 2022;Yo et al, 2021a). As such, webinars are affordable which can be attributed to the non-hiring of physical venue, transportation, and accommodation for participants (Nair, 2020).…”

Section: Significance Of Webinars During a Pandemicmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The tool also facilitates the attendance of a wide range of audiences conducive to interactions and provides real-time interaction between speakers and the audience (Gupta & Sengupta, 2021). It is less intimidating because it allows for communication between the speaker and participants, and is more accessiblemore personal, and more immediate (Kisilevsky et al, 2021).…”

Section: Significance Of Webinars During a Pandemicmentioning

confidence: 99%

Utilizing Open Access Webinars to Promote Continuing Professional Development during COVID-19 Crisis in the Philippines

Arnilla

2022

Acad. J. Interdiscip. Stud.

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This study aimed to evaluate the virtual synchronous continuing professional development (CPD) through webinars organized by a rural university in a developing country. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, the results highlighted the resourcefulness of the organizers to resolve technological and financial limitations prevalent across the preparation and implementation stages. The desire to participate in the narrative of CPD during the COVID-19 pandemic resorted to researching, testing, and utilizing free online platforms to deliver knowledge and skills to a wider audience. Screen sharing and audio-video streaming through social media were enough to facilitate the webinars. The result of the evaluation revealed that the webinars were appreciated by the participants and contributed to the increase in their knowledge of the topics presented. The CPD project also confirms the disparity in resources confronting institutions in developing countries like low internet bandwidth, outmoded internet cable wires, and unreliable supply of electricity. Management systems may be revisited to keep up with the pace in instruction and extension services in the light of changing requirements of the new normal. Received: 23 March 2022 / Accepted: 16 June 2022 / Published: 5 July 2022

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Access, an unintended consequence of virtual continuing medical education during COVID-19: a department's experience at the University of Toronto

Cited by 19 publications

References 5 publications

Comparison of perceived educational value of an in-person versus virtual medical conference

Comparison of perceived educational value of an in-person versus virtual medical conference

A report on virtual ‘Can’t intubate, can’t oxygenate’ conference workshops at the 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists

Utilizing Open Access Webinars to Promote Continuing Professional Development during COVID-19 Crisis in the Philippines

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