An overview of the outreach of the 2019–2021 Endo-ERN knowledge generation webinars

Abstract

The current study aims to assess the development of the knowledge generation programme of the European Reference Network on Rare Endocrine Conditions (Endo-ERN) from its start in 2019 until Dec 2021, with special reference to webinars. We analyzed numbers of webinars and live/post event participants and whether participation and engagement of the attendees’ changed over time. A total of 30 (86%) self-prepared webinars comprising of 300 hours of knowledge and competences sharing, were broadcasted (2019 - 3; 2020 – 13; 2021 - 14). A total of 6 webinars were broadcasted live prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (https://endo-ern.eu/events/webinars/, accessed Oct 27th, 2022). The most active Main Thematic Groups (MTGs) was MTG3 Genetic Disorders of Glucose and Insulin Homeostasis with 8 (27%) webinars. Two (25%) MTGs fulfilled the goal to prepare at least 2 to 3 webinars per year. Patients were actively involved in 20% of the accounted webinars as both creators and presenters. The total number of live and post-event participants was 3,023. The availability of the webinars after the live broadcast increased their outreach with larger number of post-event viewers (n=1,629, 54%). Within the formal structured evaluation of the webinars, 40% to 85% of the participants replied on separate occasions, and helped improve content. The free webinars access is among the perceived reasons for the rapidly increasing number of total hits to the Endo-ERN web-site. In conclusion, for its short existence, the Endo-ERN rapidly developed educational outreach, and further efforts to attract creators and learners are warranted.