[Annual meeting of the German Society for Rheumatology going virtual-successfully defying the pandemic]

Reducing the Environmental Impact of Health Care Conferences: A Study of Emissions and Practical Solutions

PURPOSE

We aimed to examine the impact of different conference formats (in-person, virtual, and hybrid) of the ASCO conference on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to recommend sustainable options for future conferences.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study used data on the number of attendees, their departure locations, and the type of attendance (in-person v virtual) provided by ASCO between 2019 and 2022. The GHG emissions resulting from air and ground travel, remote connectivity, conference space utilization, hotel stays, distributed conference materials, and electricity use were estimated for each year. Emissions were stratified by attendee country of origin, type of attendance, and year. Simulations were conducted to evaluate how changes in conference size, location, and format impact emissions, as well as estimate the resulting mitigations from adopting the proposed changes.

RESULTS

The highest estimated GHG emissions, calculated in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e), were associated with the 2019 in-person conference (37,251 metric tons of CO2e). Although international attendees had the largest contribution to emissions in all years (>50%), location optimization models, which selected conference locations that most minimized GHG emissions, yielded only minimal reductions (approximately 3%). Simulations examining changes to the conference format, location, and attendance percentage suggested that hub-and-spoke, where multiple conference locations are selected by global region, or hybrid models, with both in-person and virtual components, are likely to cause the largest drops in emissions (up to 86%).

CONCLUSION

Using historical conference data, this study identifies key aspects that can be modified to reduce emissions and consequently promote more sustainable and equitable conference attendance. Hybrid conferences may be the best solution to maintain the networking opportunities provided by conferences while balancing out their environmental footprint.

Preliminary Evaluation of a Web-Based International Journal Club for Ketamine in Psychiatric Disorders: Cross-Sectional Survey Study

BACKGROUND

The use of novel rapid-acting antidepressants for psychiatric disorders is expanding. The web-based Ketamine and Related Compounds International Journal Club (KIJC) was created during the COVID-19 pandemic by UK academic psychiatrists and trainees for interested global professionals to discuss papers related to the topic of ketamine for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. The KIJC aimed to facilitate bidirectional discussions, sharing of ideas, and networking among participants.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is a preliminary evaluation of the journal club's format for satisfaction and impact after the first year of running.

METHODS

A website, email, and word of mouth were used for recruitment. The journal club was held twice per month using videoconferencing software in 3 parts: a 20-minute presentation, a 15-minute chaired question and answer session, and a 25-minute informal discussion with participants' cameras on. The first 2 parts were recorded and uploaded to the website alongside links to the corresponding papers. In total, 24 speakers presented from 8 countries, typically within 2 (SD 2) months of publication. The average attendance was 51 (SD 20) audience members, and there were 63 (SD 50) views of each subsequent recording. Two anonymous web-based cross-sectional surveys were conducted from November 2021 to February 2022, one for speakers and another for audience members, separately. Various survey statements, 14 for speakers and 12 for the audience, were categorized according to satisfaction and impact, alongside obtaining participants' primary career roles and requesting optional written feedback. Responses were compared between both groups and analyzed, including an inductive thematic analysis and a summary of lessons learned.

RESULTS

A total of 30 survey responses were obtained, demonstrating overall agreement with the statements. In total, 12 (50%) out of 24 speakers and 18 (35%) out of an average of 51 (SD 20) audience members regarded the journal club's format as satisfying and impactful. The majority (26/30, 87%) of respondents identified as clinicians (9/30, 30%), researchers (9/30, 30%), and clinician-researchers (8/30, 27%). Additionally, 11 (37%) of the 30 respondents also provided optional written feedback: 3 (10%) speakers and 8 (27%) audience members. From the written feedback, 5 main themes were derived: engagement with the journal club, desire for active participation, improving the platform, positive learning experiences, and suggestions for future sessions.

CONCLUSIONS

The journal club successfully reached its intended audience and developed into a web-based community. The majority of the participants were satisfied with the format and found it impactful. Overall, the journal club appears to be a valuable tool for knowledge sharing and community building in the field of ketamine use for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. A larger sample size and additional testing methods are required to support the generalizability of the journal club's format.

Adjusting to the Reign of Webinars: Viewpoint

BACKGROUND

With the integration of COVID-19 into our lives, the way events are organized has changed. The Cerrahpaşa Neuroscience Days held on May 8-9, 2021, was one of the conferences that was affected. The annual conference of the student-based Cerrahpaşa Neuroscience Society transitioned to the internet for the first time and had the premise of going international.

OBJECTIVE

With this study, we aim to both discuss how a virtual conference is organized and perceived, and where our conference stands within the literature as a completely student-organized event.

METHODS

The conference was planned in accordance with virtual standards and promoted to primarily medical schools. During the execution, there were no major issues. The feedback was collected via a form developed with Google Forms.

RESULTS

Out of 2195 registrations, 299 qualified to receive a certificate. The feedback forms revealed a general satisfaction; the overall quality of the event was rated an average of 4.6 out of 5, and the ratings of various Likert scale-based questions were statistically analyzed. Open-ended questions provided improvement suggestions for future events.

CONCLUSIONS

The virtual Cerrahpaşa Neuroscience Days was a success in organization and received positive feedback from the participants. We aim to ground future events on this experience.