Dawn of a New Normal: Resident and Faculty Attitudes in Adopting Virtual Conferences and Education

A online survey evaluated the adoption of a virtual format by surgical residents and faculty for grand rounds, morbidity and mortality conferences and education. Among the 54 respondents, 27 (50%) replied that they were more likely to be participating in another activity most or all of the time. Twenty respondents (37%) said other activities were more distracting. Forty-two participants (78%) concurred that virtual conferences offer more scheduling flexibility and saves them travel time. Faculty also agreed with this assessment, and said they wanted conferences to continue virtually with or without an in-person component. However, four of 26 residents (15%) said they did not want to continue virtual education, pointing to work distractions and a lack of protected time. The authors noted the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic necessitates virtual education and conferencing — and while residents and faculty strongly support the format, "care must be taken to make sure that resident education time is truly protected."

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