Virtual student-led neuroscience conferencing: a UK multicentre prospective study investigating delegate outcomes and delivery mode

Abstract

Background: Clinical neuroscience training programmes are becoming increasingly competitive to enter. UK university neuroscience societies act as a local environment for students to develop their career interests and provide portfolio building opportunities through hosting events such as annual conferences. Recently there has been a transition to more of these events being held online yet the impact of this, if any, remains unclear. This prospective study aimed to identify the impact of student-led neuroscience conferences on delegates and examine attitudes towards an online delivery approach.

Methods: Multi-centre prospective survey study using pre-conference, post-conference, and 6-month post-conference online questionnaires distributed at 6 virtual student-led neuroscience conferences in 2021. The questionnaires had five-domains: demographics, career aspirations, academic skillsets, an educational manipulation check (EMC) and mode of delivery preference.

Results: Nine hundred twenty-four surveys were completed across 559 conference attendances. 79.9% of delegates were medical students. Interest in a neuroscience career (p < 0.001), preparedness to undertake research (p < 0.001) and presentation (p < 0.001), as well as EMC scores (p < 0.001) increased immediately post conference. Most participants at 6 months post-attendance had completed an academic project (71.9%) or presentation (50.9%), although 88.8% were lost to follow up. Online format was preferred (65%) with reasons including elimination of travel and access to home facilities whilst lack of face-to-face interaction and engagement were recognised limitations.

Conclusion: UK student-led online neuroscience conferences play a role in developing knowledge and may facilitate career interest, academic skillset and longer term portfolio building. A hybrid virtual and in-person experience would offer an ideal solution to future conferencing, providing options promoting engagement and interactivity whilst advocating sustainability, accessibility and widening participation.

Keywords: Conference; Education; Neurology; Neurosciences; Neurosurgery; Virtual.

Fig. 1

Participant stage in training/occupation. [* These options were not provided and were entered by participants in the ‘Other’ option. **A senior doctor was defined as a consultant or senior registrar]. The unlabelled slice refers to ‘Other’ of those that could not be grouped together. Number of respondents = 508

Fig. 2

Participant responses to ‘How interested are you in a neuroscience career? E.g. Neurology, Neurosurgery, Psychiatry...’ before and immediately after the conference. 1=Least interested. 10=Most interested

Fig. 3

Participant responses to ‘How many neuroscience research projects /audits have you participated in since the conference?’. Number of respondents = 57

Fig. 4

Participant responses to ‘What part of neuroscience conferences being held online do you enjoy the most? (Tick all that apply)’. Number of respondents = 306

Fig. 5

Participant responses to ‘What part of neuroscience conferences being held online do you enjoy the least? (Tick all that apply)’. Number of respondents = 306