Keeping calm and carrying on: COVID-19 and approaches to CME/CPD during a viral outbreak

As the incidences of the Coronavirus COVID-19 are growing, it’s a good time to reflect on its effects on CME/CPD to the global community. Conferences and meetings are being cancelled – in fact, I’m writing this in a time in which I was scheduled to be attending a conference. People are either afraid to fly or not being allowed to fly for fear of either contracting the disease, or, in many cases, being stranded or quarantined for extended periods of time. This obviously has an impact on health care professionals (HCPs) seeking education, financial supporters and those who create, manage and distribute such education.

Liberum IME has reflected on these issues and have come up with some “Plan B” scenarios to keep education available and relevant for HCPs:

1. Semi-live, Simulcast and Digital Meetings – Should you go ahead with that live meeting, conference or symposium? It’s hard to make that judgement at the moment, but some potential alternatives exist. Pre-recording of presentations and then adding live virtual commentary and Q&A, simulcasting live events to audience members who are now unable to travel or even having a fully digital on-line conference are viable alternatives when the best option is for people to stay home.
2. eLearning Platforms – There are a variety of types of eLearning, including modules, webcasts, and case studies. Increasing the usage of these types of activities removes the risk of investing in a live event that may or may not happen.
3. Small group learning – One of the most desired formats for HCP learning is in a small group and with one’s peers. This also minimises travel, as this can be done in your local practice or hospital setting. But what if you’re not an educator, or don’t have time to pull resources together? Liberum IME has designed Classroom to Clinic^TM which delivers full meetings’ worth of accredited materials along with references and step-by-step teaching guides. The materials are housed online and can be accessed by any HCP at anytime from anywhere.
4. Podcasts – The popularity of podcasts for both entertainment and educational use continues to grow dramatically. Educational series present current data and research, and often times practical applications of both. They can be accessed anytime, anywhere making them a great resource for multiple reasons, especially if your travel is restricted.
5. Social media – A great opportunity for micro-learning. Platforms such as Twitter and LinkedIn offer a chance to serve up small lessons in the forms of video, test questions and expert opinion that stimulate thinking and are often a springboard into delving deeper into additional education.

Liberum IME has experience and expertise with all of the above items and would be happy to propose solutions for your “Plan B”.

For more information contact: Celeste Kolanko, Managing Director, Liberum

Celeste.Kolanko@liberumime.com