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. 2022 Jan 12;14(1):e21162.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.21162. eCollection 2022 Jan.

Hosting an Educational Careers Day Within the Virtual Paradigm: The Neurology and Neurosurgery Interest Group Experience

George E Richardson  1 , Conor S Gillespie  1 , Soham Bandyopadhyay  2 , Emma J Norton  3   4 , Jigi M Joshi  5 , Orla Mantle  6 , Catinca Ciuculete  7 , Armin Nazari  8 , John Ong  9 , Ajitesh Anand  10 , Jay Park  5 , Rosaline De Koning  11 , Setthasorn Zhi Yang Ooi  12 , Joshua Erhabor  13 , Harmani K Daler  14 , Bailint Borbas  15 , Zeluleko Sibanda  16 , Illectra Lerou  17 , Alvaro Y Touzet  18 , Phil Mcelnay  19 , Suzanne Murray  20 , Peter J Hutchinson  21 , Alistair Jenkins  22
Affiliations

Hosting an Educational Careers Day Within the Virtual Paradigm: The Neurology and Neurosurgery Interest Group Experience

George E Richardson et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Introduction: To explore our experience of hosting the 10th Annual Neurology and Neurosurgery Interest Group-Society of British Neurological Surgeons (NANSIG-SBNS) Neurosurgery Careers Day, held virtually for the first time.

Methods: Reflective feedback and review of an international, virtual neurosurgery careers day. The authors reflect on the logistics of organizing the event, and the pre- and post-event feedback provided by delegates. Recommendations have been made on how to successfully host a virtual event. The key themes that permeated the event have been outlined and discussed in the context of the feedback received.

Results: The event was attended by 231 delegates from 20 countries worldwide. Knowledge of neurosurgery as a career and the application process increased after attending the careers day (4.27/5 to 4.51/5, p=0.003 and 3.12/5 to 4.31/5, p<0.001 respectively). The key themes identified from the event include attendance, networking, and education. Qualitative feedback was positive and indicated a positive perception of the careers day.

Conclusions: The future of educational events is unclear, and a hybrid approach is recommended to retain the benefits of the online space when in-person events eventually return.

Keywords: conferences; covid-19; medical education; neurosurgery; virtual.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. World map showing nation of origin for delegates of the neurosurgery careers day.
A key is provided demonstrating which country delegates attended from and the number of attendees from that nation. This map was produced using online software (www.mapchart.net).
Figure 2
Figure 2. Bar chart demonstrating the stage of training/occupation of delegates of the careers day.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Key steps checklist for hosting a virtual event.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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