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Aubert O, Gosemann JH, Wijnen R, Lacher M, Ure B, Madadi-Sanjani O. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pediatric Surgical Scientific Formats: An ERNICA Survey on Challenges and Future Directions. Eur J Pediatr Surg 2024; 34:267-273. [PMID: 37192647 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1768450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aims of this survey were to assess the experiences of the transition from in-person to virtual meetings among European pediatric surgeons since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to identify preferences for future formats. MATERIALS AND METHODS An online questionnaire was circulated among members of the European Reference Network for rare Inherited and Congenital Anomalies Network (ERNICA) in 2022. Two time periods were compared (3 years before the COVID-19 pandemic vs. the year 2021). RESULTS A total of 87 pediatric surgeons from 16 countries completed the survey. In addition, 27% of respondents were trainees/residents and 73% consultants/lead surgeons. Consultants participated in significantly more in-person congresses prior to the COVID-19 pandemic compared with trainees (5.2 vs. 1.9; p < 0.001). A significant increase in attendance of virtual meeting was reported during 2021 compared with pre-COVID-19 (1.4 vs. 6.7; p < 0.001). Consultants had experienced significantly less absenteeism thanks to virtual meetings compared with trainees (42/61 vs. 8/23; p < 0.05). Most surgeons considered virtual meetings more economic (82%), practical (78%), and family-friendly (66%). However, a majority reported missing social events (78%). The communication among attendees or between attendees and speakers or scientific faculty was deemed worse. A minority (14%) experienced equalized representation of trainees and consultants at virtual meetings. Most respondents (58%) agreed that future meeting strategies should focus on offering virtual formats. Regarding future congresses, respondents prefer hybrid (62%) over in-person (33%) or virtual (6%) formats. CONCLUSION According to European pediatric surgeons, virtual learning formats hold multiple advantages and should be continued. Improved technology must meet the challenges, particularly to enhance communication, equal representation, and networking between attendees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ophelia Aubert
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany
| | - Jan-Hendrik Gosemann
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany
| | - René Wijnen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC Sophia, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Martin Lacher
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany
| | - Benno Ure
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Niedersachsen, Germany
| | - Omid Madadi-Sanjani
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Niedersachsen, Germany
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2
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Lotterhos KE, Bernal MA, Phifer-Rixey M, Hanley T. Lighting pathways to success in STEM: a virtual Laboratory Meeting Programme (LaMP) mutually benefits mentees and host laboratories. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20240149. [PMID: 38808447 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.0149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Developing robust professional networks can help shape the trajectories of early career scientists. Yet, historical inequities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields make access to these networks highly variable across academic programmes, and senior academics often have little time for mentoring. Here, we illustrate the success of a virtual Laboratory Meeting Programme (LaMP). In this programme, we matched students (mentees) with a more experienced scientist (mentors) from a research group. The mentees then attended the mentors' laboratory meetings during the academic year with two laboratory meetings specifically dedicated to the mentee's professional development. Survey results indicate that mentees expanded their knowledge of the hidden curriculum as well as their professional network, while only requiring a few extra hours of their mentor's time over eight months. In addition, host laboratories benefitted from mentees sharing new perspectives and knowledge in laboratory meetings. Diversity of the mentees was significantly higher than the mentors, suggesting that the programme increased the participation of traditionally under-represented groups. Finally, we found that providing a stipend was very important to many mentees. We conclude that virtual LaMPs can be an inclusive and cost-effective way to foster trainee development and increase diversity within STEM fields with little additional time commitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie E Lotterhos
- Northeastern University Marine Science Center, Nahant, MA 01908, USA
| | - Moisés A Bernal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama 0843-03092, Panama
| | | | - Torrance Hanley
- Department of Biology, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT 06825, USA
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3
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Liggett D, Frame B, Convey P, Hughes KA. How the COVID-19 pandemic signaled the demise of Antarctic exceptionalism. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk4424. [PMID: 38427734 PMCID: PMC10906921 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk4424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
This paper explores how the COVID-19 pandemic affected science and tourism activities and their governance in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean. The pandemic reduced the ability of Antarctic Treaty Parties to make decisions on policy issues and placed a considerable burden on researchers. Tourism was effectively suspended during the 2020-2021 Antarctic season and heavily reduced in 2021-2022 but rebounded to record levels in 2022-2023. The pandemic stimulated reflection on practices to facilitate dialog, especially through online events. Opportunities arose to integrate innovations developed during the pandemic more permanently into Antarctic practices, in relation to open science, reducing operational greenhouse gas footprints and barriers of access to Antarctic research and facilitating data sharing. However, as well as the long-term impacts arising directly from the pandemic, an assemblage of major geopolitical drivers are also in play and, combined, these signal a considerable weakening of Antarctic exceptionalism in the early Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bob Frame
- University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Peter Convey
- British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
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4
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Lichter KE, Sabbagh A, Demeulenaere S, Drew T, Conway A, Nogueira L, Suneja G, Kirkwood K, Hampshire K, Gundling K, Teherani A, Thottathil SE, Mohamad O. Reducing the Environmental Impact of Health Care Conferences: A Study of Emissions and Practical Solutions. JCO Glob Oncol 2024; 10:e2300209. [PMID: 38359373 PMCID: PMC10881111 DOI: 10.1200/go.23.00209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ali Sabbagh
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
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5
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Furtner D, Hutas G, Tan BJW, Meier R. Journey from an Enabler to a Strategic Leader: Integration of the Medical Affairs Function in ESG Initiatives and Values. Pharmaceut Med 2023; 37:405-416. [PMID: 37464231 PMCID: PMC10587287 DOI: 10.1007/s40290-023-00485-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Like most private enterprises, the pharmaceutical industry has deeply rooted environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters that challenge its long-term sustainability. Overcoming these external challenges requires collaborative and proactive steps as well as procedures guiding the adoption of ESG principles by all internal stakeholders. Environmental challenges such as climate change, and in addition the changes in society, have resulted in the need for governance addressing and coordinating efforts. The core function of medical affairs (MA) is connecting with stakeholders within a company and also between the company and external stakeholders. In this article, we describe the involvement of MA in several aspects of ESG, as a contributor, partner, and implementer. MA has a significant opportunity to emerge as a leading function involved in ESG strategies and their tactical implementation. Although the involvement of MA in the environment pillar of ESG is less, the function can implement changes relating to the conduct of meetings, clinical studies, and the digitalization of medical education via virtual platforms. Due to its patient centricity, MA is tasked to address social determinants of health to improve patients' outcomes. As a linking function within a company and with its external stakeholders, MA can provide proactive input in policy generation and enable effective governance by adherence to standards of accountability, ethics, and compliance, as well as transparency. Championing ESG is a collective responsibility that transcends any single department. It mandates a company-wide commitment. MA represents an essential pivot point in catalyzing the integration of ESG principles within industry, contributing to a healthcare ecosystem that is not merely more sustainable and ethical but also more conducive to patient health and public well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabor Hutas
- Astellas Pharma Australia Pty Ltd., Sydney, NSW, Australia
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6
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Tong S, Samet JM, Steffen W, Kinney PL, Frumkin H. Solidarity for the Anthropocene. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 235:116716. [PMID: 37481056 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Social solidarity is essential to large-scale collective action, but the need for solidarity has received little attention from scholars of Earth Systems, sustainability and public health. Now, the need for solidarity requires recognition. We have entered a new planetary epoch - the Anthropocene - in which human-induced global changes are occurring at an unprecedented scale. There are multiple health crises facing humanity - widening inequity, climate change, biodiversity loss, diminishing resources, persistent poverty, armed conflict, large-scale migration, and others. These global challenges are so far-reaching, and call for such extensive, large-scale action, that solidarity is a sine qua non for tackling these challenges. However, the heightened need for solidarity has received little attention in the context of the Anthropocene and, in particular, how it can be created and nurtured has been overlooked. In this commentary, we explore the concept of solidarity from inter-species, intra-generational and inter-generational perspectives. We also propose strategies to enhance solidarity in the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilu Tong
- National Institute of Environmental Health, China CDC, Beijing, China; School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
| | | | - Will Steffen
- The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Patrick L Kinney
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Howard Frumkin
- School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA; Trust for Public Land, Seattle, USA
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7
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Kay C, Kuper R, Becker EA. Recommendations Emerging from Carbon Emissions Estimations of the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting. eNeuro 2023; 10:ENEURO.0476-22.2023. [PMID: 37739787 PMCID: PMC10580811 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0476-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The annual Society for Neuroscience (SfN) meeting yields significant, measurable impacts that conflict with the environmental commitment of the Society and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recommendations to address the climate emergency (IPCC, 2018). We used 12,761 presenters' origins, two online carbon calculators, and benchmark values to estimate 2018 meeting-related travel, event venue operations, and hotel accommodation emissions. Presenters' conference travel resulted in between 17,298 and 8690 tons of atmospheric carbon dioxide (t CO2), with or without radiative forcing index factors. Over 92% of authors traveled by air and were responsible for >99% of total travel-related emissions. Extrapolations based on 28,691 registrants yielded between 69,592.60 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (t CO2e) and 38,010.85 t CO2 from travel. Comparatively, authors' and registrants' hotel accommodation emissions equaled 429 and 965 t CO2e, whereas operation of the San Diego Convention Center equaled ∼107 t CO2e. We relate SfN meeting-related emissions to potential September Arctic Sea ice loss, labor productivity loss in lower-income equatorial countries, and future temperature-related deaths. We estimate emissions reductions of between 23% and 78% by incentivizing between 10% and 50% of the most distant registrants to attend virtually or connecting between two and seven in-person hubs virtually. Completely virtual meetings may yield a reduction of >99% relative to centralized in-person meetings and increase participation of women, queer and transgender scientists, and scientists from low- and middle-income countries. We strongly recommend adopting alternative meeting modes such as four or more in-person global hubs connected virtually by 2030 and fully virtual by 2050.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Kay
- Department of Psychology, Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19131
- Department of Clinical Psychology, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Washington DC, Washington, DC 20005
| | - Rob Kuper
- Department of Architecture and Environmental Design, Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Temple University, Ambler, Pennsylvania 19002
| | - Elizabeth A. Becker
- Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience, Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin 54911
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8
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Weiman S, Cable J, Greenleaf W, Rundel F, Whitfield KE, Wingate L, Gallagher R, Pesanelli J, Orr D, Jarvis TC, Cadar R, Uva MD, Ruediger D, Vaez R, Frisby A, Ahmed S, Donoviel D, Klinman J, Johnson D. Reimagining scientific conferences-a Keystone Symposia report. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2023; 1527:49-59. [PMID: 37534923 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.15037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Scientific conferences play an important role in advancing research, scholarship, and the careers of emerging scientists. The COVID-19 pandemic offered meeting organizers and researchers alike an opportunity to reimagine what scientific conferences could look like. Virtual conferences can increase inclusivity and accessibility while decreasing costs and carbon emissions. However, it is generally perceived that the digital world fails to adequately recapitulate many of the benefits of in-person face-to-face interactions; these include socializing, and collaborative environments that can forge new research directions and provide critical career development opportunities. On November 15 and 16, 2022, researchers, representatives from diverse scientific conference organizations, leaders in virtual platform technologies, and innovators in conference design gathered online for the Open Access Keystone eSymposium "Reimagining Scientific Conferences." The meeting focused on how conference organizers can leverage lessons from the pandemic and emerging virtual platforms to engage new audiences, rethink strategies for scientific exchange, and decrease the carbon footprint of in-person events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Weiman
- Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology, Silverthorne, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Walter Greenleaf
- Stanford University Virtual Human Interaction Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | | | | | - Lory Wingate
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | | | - Dereck Orr
- Communications Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Thale C Jarvis
- Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology, Silverthorne, Colorado, USA
| | - Raluca Cadar
- The Protein Society, Canyon Country, California, USA
| | - Matthew D' Uva
- American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
| | | | | | | | - Sami Ahmed
- Zoom Video Communications, San Jose, California, USA
| | - Dorit Donoviel
- Translational Research Institute for Space Health, Houston, Texas, USA
- Center for Space Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Judith Klinman
- University of California, Department of Chemistry, Berkeley, California, USA
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, Berkeley, California, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Debbie Johnson
- Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology, Silverthorne, Colorado, USA
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Nordberg LB, Vikse J, Heiberg MS, Lillejordet E, Mæhlen MT, Kristianslund EK, Provan SA, Lillegraven S. Rheumatology congresses post COVID-19: we cannot regress. THE LANCET. RHEUMATOLOGY 2023; 5:S2665-9913(23)00153-4. [PMID: 37360002 PMCID: PMC10238057 DOI: 10.1016/s2665-9913(23)00153-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lena Bugge Nordberg
- REMEDY Centre for treatment of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, N-0370 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jens Vikse
- Department of Rheumatology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Marte Schrumpf Heiberg
- REMEDY Centre for treatment of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, N-0370 Oslo, Norway
| | - Even Lillejordet
- REMEDY Centre for treatment of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, N-0370 Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Eirik Klami Kristianslund
- REMEDY Centre for treatment of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, N-0370 Oslo, Norway
| | - Sella Aarrestad Provan
- REMEDY Centre for treatment of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, N-0370 Oslo, Norway
| | - Siri Lillegraven
- REMEDY Centre for treatment of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, N-0370 Oslo, Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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10
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Reverse adoption of information and communication technology among organisers of academic conferences. Scientometrics 2023; 128:1963-1985. [PMID: 36844385 PMCID: PMC9939029 DOI: 10.1007/s11192-022-04616-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
This study examines the formats offered for academic conferences in the mature stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Two out of three organisers discontinue their usage of online video tools and focus on in-person conferences. Only one out of five conferences offers hybrid solutions and even fewer a virtual alternative (13%). Data for the analysis originate from 547 calls for proposals announced in Spring 2022 for conferences to be held during the period August 2022 to July 2023. Estimates using a multinomial logit model show that the planning time is significantly related to the choice of format offered. The longer the lead time, the more likely it is to offer an in-person conference. International travel restrictions and bans on gatherings for the location of the venue at the time of planning are significantly related to the choice of virtual, but not hybrid formats. There are also large differences in the choice across disciplines, with conferences in arts and humanities as well as natural sciences showing the lowest preference for the virtual format.
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11
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Heller RF. Reforming higher education to sustain planetary health. Lancet Planet Health 2023; 7:e8-e9. [PMID: 36608954 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(22)00216-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Richard F Heller
- University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia.
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12
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Kern WV, Morgan DJ. In-Person Medical Conferences During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2230305. [PMID: 36069987 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.30305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Winfried V Kern
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs-University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Daniel J Morgan
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore
- Veterans Affairs Maryland Healthcare System, Baltimore
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Ganesananthan S, Zahid A, Choudhry A, Vadiveloo TV, Khan N, Yang T, Urrehman H, Mahesh S, Yousef Z. The Utility and Educational Impact of a Virtual Webinar to Deliver an International Undergraduate Cardiovascular Conference. ADVANCES IN MEDICAL EDUCATION AND PRACTICE 2022; 13:993-1002. [PMID: 36072821 PMCID: PMC9441587 DOI: 10.2147/amep.s376114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sashiananthan Ganesananthan
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Abeer Zahid
- Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Anam Choudhry
- Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Thivya V Vadiveloo
- Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Nailah Khan
- Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Ting Yang
- Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Haroon Urrehman
- Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Sahana Mahesh
- Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Zaheer Yousef
- Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Wales, Cardiff, Wales, UK
- Welsh Heart Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
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14
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Kubiszewski K, Gulani A, Sutter K, Sarmiento B, Ghattas YS, Mathai R, Simms-Cendan JS. Migration of an Interactive Global Health Conference to a Virtual Platform: Engaging Learners During the Pandemic. Cureus 2022; 14:e25601. [PMID: 35795517 PMCID: PMC9250323 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.25601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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Khorsand P, Chowdhury M, Wyns A, Velin L, Wangari MC, Cipriano G, El Omrani O, Patil P, van Daalen K. Envisioning sustainable and equitable World Health Assemblies. BMJ Glob Health 2022; 7:bmjgh-2022-009231. [PMID: 35613838 PMCID: PMC9134203 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-009231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Arthur Wyns
- Climate and Health Alliance, Wadawurrung Country, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lotta Velin
- Centre for Teaching and Research in Disaster Medicine and Traumatology, Linkoping, Sweden
| | | | | | - Omnia El Omrani
- Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Department, Ain Shams University Teaching Hospital, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Kim van Daalen
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
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