How We Do It: Implementing a Virtual, Multi-Institutional Collaborative Education Model for the COVID-19 Pandemic and...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Virtual Learning

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated social distancing, disrupting traditional surgical residency education.
• Maintaining high-quality didactic learning for surgical residents became a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the implementation of a virtual, multi-institutional educational collaboration for general surgery residency programs.
• To enhance surgical resident learning despite social-distancing requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Methods:

• A virtual, multi-institutional collaborative lecture series was initiated by Virginia Commonwealth University.
• General surgery residents and faculty were recruited nationally via program director lists and social media.
• The program grew to include 52 institutions across the United States.

Main Results:

• A virtual lecture series provided daily didactics by experts in various surgical fields.
• Over 50 general surgery residency programs participated, ensuring continuity of education.
• The collaboration allowed for social distancing while maintaining essential clinical care.

Conclusions:

• Multi-institutional collaboration facilitated continued didactic education during the pandemic.
• This model broadened resident access to expertise and varied educational content.
• The framework can support future collaborations beyond the COVID-19 era.