ORIGINAL RESEARCH Virtual Events in the Era of COVID-19: Perspectives From a Virtual Interdisciplinary Wound Care Symposium

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease-19 pandemic has created changes in the way medicine is practiced. The move to virtual conferencing to avoid mass gatherings is a significant change to how health care professionals meet, discuss current trends, and share research. METHODS: Data from exit polls conducted after annual wound care symposiums were reviewed. Physicians, nurses, podiatrists, and other health care professionals attended. Respondents were asked to comment and reflect on their experiences of attending a virtual conference. RESULTS: Over 60% of all (N = 283) respondents stated the virtual conference was better than or on par with a live event. Many respondents had attended this live event in person in previous years. Of all respondents, 83% stated that they planned to access conference materials for the 30 days they remained posted after the event. More than 50% of respondents stated they favored the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues via the instant messaging feature offered by the conference. Approximately 80% of respondents stated that they would like to attend this and other conferences virtually in the future. CONCLUSIONS: The shift from in-person to virtual conferences has the potential to remain a significant method of attending health care conferences. Conference organizers are encouraged to consider how they can implement virtual components, including postconference access to materials, to enhance the conference experience. Additional work needs to be done to understand the impact of the virtual format on knowledge retention.

The changing face of scientific conferences: Face to face, online or a hybrid model?

“…This facility allows conference attendees to maximize their learning. Results from one study among virtual conference attendees found that 83% of respondents planned to visit post‐conference online materials 3 . As we move back towards more in‐person events, it is important to reflect on the lessons learned from holding virtual events, in order to decide which aspects should remain.…”

“…Instant messaging via online conference platforms has been proposed as a useful tool to substitute these in-person interactions. 3 However, the effect to which it does this is questionable. While breakout rooms offer a virtual space where interactions can take place, these interactions may be less effective than face-to-face meetings.…”

“…Results from one study among virtual conference attendees found that 83% of respondents planned to visit post-conference online materials. 3 As we move back towards more in-person events, it is important to reflect on the lessons learned from holding virtual events, in order to decide which aspects should remain. Access to post-conference materials could be a valuable tool to ensure knowledge translation for some time after the event has taken place.…”

“…The ability to network is significantly impacted by the move to online events. Instant messaging via online conference platforms has been proposed as a useful tool to substitute these in‐person interactions 3 . However, the effect to which it does this is questionable.…”