Multidisciplinary Tracheostomy Quality Improvement in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Building a Global Learning Community

Abstract

Objectives: To report experience with a global multidisciplinary tracheostomy e-learning initiative Methods: An international multidisciplinary panel of experts convened to build a virtual learning community for tracheostomy care, comprising a web-based platform, five distance learning (interactive webinar) sessions, and professional discourse over 12 months. Structured pre- and post-webinar surveys were disseminated to global participants including otolaryngologists, intensivists, nurses, allied health professionals, and patients/caregivers. Data were collected on audio-visual fidelity, demographics, and pre- and post-tutorial assessments regarding experience and skill acquisition. Participants reported confidence levels for NICU, pediatric, adult, and family care, as well as technical skills, communication, learning, assessment, and subdomains. Results: Participants from 197 institutions in 22 countries engaged in the virtual education platform, including otolaryngologists, speech pathologists, respiratory therapists, specialist nurses, patients, and caregivers. Significant improvements were reported in communication ( P < .0001), clinical assessments ( P < .0001), and clinical governance ( P < .0001), with positive impact on pediatric decannulation ( P = .0008), adult decannulation ( P = .04), and quality improvement ( P < .0001). Respondents reported enhanced readiness to integrate knowledge into practice. Barriers included time zones, internet bandwidth, and perceived difficulty of direct clinical translation of highly technical skills. Participants rated the implementation highly in terms of length, ability for discussion, satisfaction, applicability to professional practice, and expertise of discussants (median scores: 4, 4, 4, 4 and 5 out of 5). Conclusions: Virtual learning has dominated the education landscape during COVID-19 pandemic, but few data are available on its effectiveness. This study demonstrated feasibility of virtual learning for disseminating best practices in tracheostomy, engaging a diverse, multidisciplinary audience. Learning of complex technical skills proved a hurdle, however, suggesting need for hands-on experience for technical mastery. While interactive videoconferencing via webinar affords an engaging and scalable strategy for sharing knowledge, further investigation is needed on clinical outcomes to define effective strategies for experiential online learning and virtual in-service simulations.

Distance education for anatomy and surgical training – A systematic review

“… 23 In postgraduate level, participants in a virtual education platform involving multidisciplinary specialists of 197 institutions of 22 countries reported significant improvement in different aspects including communication, clinical assessments, clinical governance, and quality improvement (P < 0.0001). 24 Concerning anatomy teaching, online formative assessment motivated a majority of students (94%) to study and use the recommended bibliography in the platform. 97.1% of students considered the online material as useful and rated ≥5 out of 10.…”

“… 1 , 15 Moreover, Swords also mentioned some barriers for e-learning, including time zones, internet bandwidth, and perceived difficulty of direct clinical translation of highly technical skills which may be more obvious in teaching of surgical skills and other more advanced techniques. 24 …”

COVID-19-Pandemie: Präferenzen und Barrieren für die Disseminierung von Evidenzsynthesen

“…Eine maßgeschneidertes Implementierungskonzept [ 8 ] gilt bekanntermaßen als vorteilhaft und sollte im weiteren Verlauf evaluiert werden. Insbesondere Webinare als interaktive Plattform zur Vermittlung komplexer Inhalte und als Alternative zu Präsenzveranstaltungen aufgrund der Kontaktbeschränkungen stoßen bei der Mehrheit der Befragten auf Akzeptanz und wurden zuvor schon als effektives Mittel der Evidenzvermittlung in der Pandemie beschrieben [ 9 ]. Vor der Pandemie konnten diese Werkzeuge nicht als effizient bewertet werden [ 10 ].…”

Webinar on the perception of Brazilian, Italian, Swiss, and French medical science undergraduates about the COVID-19 pandemic: Experience Report

“…The widespread use of technology for virtual communication, which is a necessity in a period of social isolation, will have a long-lasting effect on the complete continuum of medical education, residency, and continuing medical education. Moreover, online activities allow a broader and more iterative reach, which makes it possible to reach different continents and cultures (Swords et al, 2020). New pedagogical approaches, which have a worldwide scope, allow the development of necessary skills for future medical professionals.…”