The Utility and Educational Impact of a Virtual Webinar to Deliver an International Undergraduate Cardiovascular Conference

Abstract

Introduction Conferences are an important avenue for dissemination of knowledge, research and provide networking opportunities for career development. The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted adoption of virtual platforms for delivery of these conferences. The aim of the study was to determine the utility and educational impact of a student-led virtual webinar to deliver an undergraduate cardiovascular conference compared to a traditional in-person conference. Methods We conducted a two-day virtual conference using the Zoom platform in June 2021. The conference consisted of cardiology subspecialty lectures, and workshops were conducted by a junior doctor, senior cardiology trainees and consultants. The conference also outlaid a virtual poster hall and oral presentation session while networking opportunities were encouraged using breakout rooms and poster hall chat function. A 38-item self-administered online questionnaire was designed and disseminated at the end of the conference to all attending delegates. All data analysis and data visualisation strategies were conducted on R statistical programming. Results Eight-hundred and forty students from 55 countries attended the event. Four hundred and ninety participants (58.5% response rate, 55.9% female) completed the questionnaire. Factors such as weekend conference (84.9%), student-led or organised (84.1%), environmental/sustainable (82.3%), appropriate level for me (81.5%) and comfort to present (80.8%) were deemed to be at least equal to traditional in-person conference. The conference also increased participants’ interest, their core cardiology knowledge and improved their critical analysis and basic echocardiography skills [median 4 (IQR 3–5) for all parameters]. Overall, participants also found it easy to use the virtual platform [median 5 (IQR 5–5)] and easier to ask questions compared to in-person conferences [median 5 (IQR 4–5) vs median 4 (IQR 3–5), p < 0.001]. Conclusion Our virtual conference provided opportunities to students that the COVID-19 pandemic would have otherwise affected; however, its utility and educational impact will need to be assessed within its individual context of delivery.

COVID-19 pandemisinin ulusal göz hastalıkları toplantılarındaki bildiri katılımı üzerine etkileri

“…First of all, it was difficult or impossible to attend face-to-face meetings due to travel restrictions and social distance measures during the pandemic. Online meetings, on the other hand, eliminated the need for transfer, accommodation and related expenses and provided a more flexible schedule [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][16][17][18][19][20]. These factors encouraged more people to attend the online meetings.…”

“…These factors encouraged more people to attend the online meetings. In addition, thanks to the technological opportunities offered by online media, participants were able to participate in events even from different geographical regions and different time zones [16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. Furthermore, online meetings provide an international platform by enabling scientists and experts from different countries to share their knowledge and experience.…”

“…Furthermore, online meetings provide an international platform by enabling scientists and experts from different countries to share their knowledge and experience. This, in turn, contributes to the acceleration of scientific development and the wider perspective of the scientific community [4][5][6][7][8][16][17][18][19][20][21][22].…”

“…In this way, the effectiveness of online meetings can be increased and scientific information sharing can be realized more effectively. Nevertheless, the importance and value of face-to-face meetings should not be forgotten because such events support personal interaction, networking and indepth discussions [9][10][11][20][21][22].…”