Impact of COVID-19 on medical education: introducing homo digitalis

Abstract

Purpose To determine how members of the Société Internationale d'Urologie (SIU) are continuing their education in the time of COVID-19. Methods A survey was disseminated amongst SIU members worldwide by email. Results were analyzed to examine the influence of age, practice region and settings on continuing medical education (CME) of the respondents. Results In total, 2494 respondents completed the survey. Internet searching was the most common method of CME (76%; all ps < 0.001), followed by searching journals and textbook including the online versions (62%; all ps < 0.001). Overall, 6% of the respondents reported no time/interest for CME during the pandemic. Although most urologists report using only one platform for their CME (26.6%), the majority reported using ≥ 2 platforms, with approximately 10% of the respondents using up to 5 different platforms. Urologists < 40 years old were more likely to use online literature (69%), podcasts/AV media (38%), online CME courses/webinars (40%), and social media (39%). There were regional variations in the CME modality used but no significant difference in the number of methods by region. There was no significant difference in responses between urologists in academic/public hospitals or private practice. Conclusion During COVID-19, urologists have used web-based learning for their CME. Internet learning and literature were the top frequently cited learning methods. Younger urologists are more likely to use all forms of digital learning methods, while older urologists prefer fewer methods.

How the COVID-19 pandemic changed urology residency – a nationwide survey from the Portuguese resident\'s perspective

“…The observed increase in the number of hours dedicated to research and continuous medical education was clear in our survey, meaning that reduced clinical activity does not equal inertia for urology residents. Similar results were seen by other authors [ 18 ]. In the United States, most residents invested more time in self-directed learning (90%), and more time in research (70%) [ 16 ].…”

Observations from Transforming a Continuing Education programme in the COVID-19 Era and Preparing for the Future

“…Many education providers have reported successful transitions to offering CE in virtual formats, and have been exploring effective models of virtual engagement scaled to the scope of their audience and learning objectives. The result has been the development of a wide range of digital learning activities, from small group case conferences to international level congresses, leveraging technologyenhanced learning, including blended strategies, and increased use of tools such as social media and podcasting to engage learners [8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. These innovative solutions have been largely developed due to the need for change and finding ways to reach learners and maintain community.…”

COVID19: the response of the urologist

“…

After an initial focus on the immediate respiratory implications of COVID19, its downstream effect on the practice of urology has rapidly become apparent. Urologists have been quick to recognise the ensuing challenges, that have ranged from prioritising patients who needed inpatient treatment when hospitals were under unprecedented pressure [1,2], to adjustment of research so that it might potentially benefit those with COVID19 [3,4], to ensuring that novel strategies for patient care and even medical education using digital technologies were implemented [5,6].Urologists as a group have been ideally placed to respond to these challenges. Experience with conditions that affect patients on a broad spectrum of severity [7], plus the development of extensive datasets that could then be assessed for the impact of COVID19 [8] have enabled a measured and consequential assessment of how urologic care can be optimised during this uncertain time.Urologists have proven capable of adjusting numerous aspects of patient care due to the impact of COVID19.

…”

“…After an initial focus on the immediate respiratory implications of COVID19, its downstream effect on the practice of urology has rapidly become apparent. Urologists have been quick to recognise the ensuing challenges, that have ranged from prioritising patients who needed inpatient treatment when hospitals were under unprecedented pressure [1,2], to adjustment of research so that it might potentially benefit those with COVID19 [3,4], to ensuring that novel strategies for patient care and even medical education using digital technologies were implemented [5,6].…”