Are e-learning Webinars the future of medical education? An exploratory study of a disruptive innovation in the COVID-19 era

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the impact of the Webinar on deep human learning of CHD. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional survey design study used an open and closed-ended questionnaire to assess the impact of the Webinar on deep learning of topical areas within the management of the post-operative tetralogy of Fallot patients. This was a quantitative research methodology using descriptive statistical analyses with a sequential explanatory design. Results: One thousand-three-hundred and seventy-four participants from 100 countries on 6 continents joined the Webinar, 557 (40%) of whom completed the questionnaire. Over 70% of participants reported that they “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that the Webinar format promoted deep learning for each of the topics compared to other standard learning methods (textbook and journal learning). Two-thirds expressed a preference for attending a Webinar rather than an international conference. Over 80% of participants highlighted significant barriers to attending conferences including cost (79%), distance to travel (49%), time commitment (51%), and family commitments (35%). Strengths of the Webinar included expertise, concise high-quality presentations often discussing contentious issues, and the platform quality. The main weakness was a limited time for questions. Just over 53% expressed a concern for the carbon footprint involved in attending conferences and preferred to attend a Webinar. Conclusion: E-learning Webinars represent a disruptive innovation, which promotes deep learning, greater multidisciplinary participation, and greater attendee satisfaction with fewer barriers to participation. Although Webinars will never fully replace conferences, a hybrid approach may reduce the need for conferencing, reduce carbon footprint. and promote a “sustainable academia”.

Global survey to assess preferences when attending virtual orthodontic learning sessions: optimising uptake from virtual lectures

“…Because the live online teaching model has become commonplace in providing educational content during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 4 , 6 , 18 – 21 ], this study was initiated to best understand the issues concerning conducting of VOLSs. In other parts of this series of articles, we looked at pre-webinar settings during the registration process, and technical settings when attending VOLSs.…”

Global leadership in paediatric and congenital cardiac care: “Humility in Leadership – an interview with Katarina Hanséus, MD, PhD, President of the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology (AEPC)”

“…Tretter: Clearly COVID-19 has shown the importance of The Webinar to increase the accessibility of high-quality education to a global population. 8 However, as you mentioned earlier, it cannot fully supplement the value of in-person conferences, which includes but is not limited to the networking and development of lifelong professional friendships and mentorship. I certainly was looking forward to joining you in Gothenburg, Sweden, for the planned 2020 Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology Conference, which was then cancelled secondary to COVID-19.…”

Evaluating the utility of an international webinar as a platform to educate students and doctors on the UK core surgical training portfolio

“…During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, access to digital mediums has become increasingly prevalent and has become an efficient modem for students to interact [ 7 – 9 ]. Webinar-based teaching has become the standard throughout medical schools, and it has been noted that this model of teaching is sustainable as it reduces the barriers of participation, cost and time commitment [ 10 ]. Therefore, delivering webinars boasts a significant number of advantages by fostering the opportunity to expand exposure to an international audience with minimal costs and administration, while simultaneously improving attendance [ 6 ].…”