Virtual Education in Pediatric Surgery during the COVID-19 Era: Facing and Overcoming Current Challenges

Abstract

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted our way of living in an unprecedented manner. Medical professionals at all levels have been forced to adapt to the novel virus. The delivery of surgical services and the subsequent learning opportunities for surgical residents have especially been disrupted and the pediatric surgical community has not been exempted by this. This article highlights the challenges imposed by the pandemic and outlines the various learning modalities that can be implemented to ensure continued learning opportunities throughout the pandemic and beyond. Furthermore, it aims to show how the utilization and expansion of technologies maintain and further increase the communication, as well as the exchange of and access to knowledge among peers. Virtual education-, application-, and simulation-based learning and social media, as well as telemedicine and online conferences, will play a considerable role in the future of surgical specialties and surgical education.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric surgical training across Europe

“…This study raised a critical point regarding the availability of surgical training facilities, with few centres providing access to simulation systems or virtual learning opportunities. In this context, integration of smart technologies is critical to maintain adequate expertise and satisfaction, and to improve continuous surgical education 5 . Interestingly, research activities rely on the type of research conducted.…”

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pediatric Surgical Scientific Formats: An ERNICA Survey on Challenges and Future Directions

“…7 Our study confirms that virtual learning opportunities have been taken up well by the European pediatric surgical community, translated by a significant increase in attendance, participation, and contribution at webinars and digital meetings since the beginning of the pandemic. 3,8 Of note, this is likely due not only to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic but also to the increased number and availability of virtual formats.…”

“…2 The pediatric surgical community has actively contributed to changing the online landscape, by organizing international hybrid conferences and developing numerous online learning opportunities. 3,4 Even though virtual meetings hold considerable benefits such as lowering financial and logistic barriers, they also include drawbacks with reduction in social interactions or networking possibilities.…”

In-person vs. virtual conferences: Lessons learned and how to take advantage of the best of both worlds

“…Individuals and professional societies have shared some lessons learned from their own experience during the pandemic. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 In this paper, we examine the changes seen with large virtual conferences along with recommendations for future meetings, including ways to enhance engagement and participation.…”