As you know, AV-CANADA recently provided webcast streaming services for a Virtual Medical Conference. Often we assume what people may think of their first experience when attending a virtual conference but the reality is different. We asked 2 simple questions and below are the answers of many delegates to our second question!
Question 2: Do you think the virtual format diminished the potential professional and personal impact of the program?
1. Discussion with colleagues was limited a little bit. It would be nice to interact with the Specialists and have those organic conversations and Q&A sessions, but given our current situation, this was great.
2. Live face-to-face engagement and networking cannot occur in a virtual format at the same level.
3. I think face to face always has its advantages. It would have been nice to meet all the faculty in person and to make the personal connection.
4. Zoom fatigue for the presenters.
5. It is always nice to be able to meet and discuss with colleagues and the physicians face-to-face.
6. Some speakers not overly engaging over a computer.
7. One item in past mini medicals was the mentorship during the group assignment. That was very valuable and missed in this format.
8. In person is always better, but given the circumstances the virtual format worked well.
9. I was more engaged when the presenter showed their video in conjunction with their slides, increased my focus.
10. It diminished the personal interactions, whether that’s between faculty and participant or participant to participant, especially from different companies.
11. I don’t think the live, face-face, in-person nature of events can ever be replicated in a virtual format.
12. I think if there could’ve been small group interactions, or even having everyone in the breakouts on video and introducing themselves that could’ve helped. I know the timings was very jam-packed, but something a little social on video would’ve been nice.
13. Q/A sessions were well organized.
14. There’s interaction that is missed amongst attendees and presenters that cannot be replaced virtually, however, there is an opportunity for a broader geographic audience to attend.
15. Eye contact for presenters and participants is important. We felt lonely.
16. There was a lot of collaboration at previous mini medicals during the evenings etc and that was missed but overall very good still.
17. Some presenters shine live and not virtually.
18. In person meetings are usually more interactive and it is easier for the participants to share their knowledge between each other.
19. Overall, I really enjoyed and appreciated the training.
20. As an MSL, it would be ideal to have some opportunities to interact with many of these experts in-person.
