COVID-19 as a disruptor: innovation and value in a national virtual fracture conference

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the educational value of a national virtual fracture conference implemented during the COVID-19 disruption of resident education Design: Survey study Setting: National virtual conference administered by the Orthopaedic Trauma Association Participants: Attendees of virtual fracture conference Intervention: Participation at a national virtual fracture conference Main outcome measure: Surveys of perception of quality and value of virtual conferences relative to in-person conferences Results: Ninety-six percent of participants rated the virtual fracture conference as similar or improved educational quality relative to conventional in-person fracture conference Participants also felt they learned as much (35%) or more (57%) at each virtual fracture conference compared to the amount learned in-person The quality of interpersonal interactions at both the resident-faculty level and faculty-faculty level was also perceived to be overall superior to those at participants' own institutions Learners felt they were more likely to engage the primary literature as well Overall, 100% of participants were likely to recommend virtual conference to their colleagues and 100% recommended continuing this conference even after COVID-19 issues resolve Conclusions: We found that learners find significant educational value in a national virtual fracture conference compared to in-person fracture conferences at their own institution COVID-19 has proven to be a disruptor not only in health care but in medical education as well, accelerating our adoption of innovative and novel resident didactics Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III