Vascular e-Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The EL-COVID Survey

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Vascular Surgery

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted knowledge exchange for vascular surgeons and trainees.
• Traditional learning methods were disrupted, necessitating alternative educational approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the e-learning needs of vascular surgeons and trainees.
• To identify the strengths and weaknesses of current vascular e-learning platforms.

Main Methods:

• An 18-question online survey was distributed globally to vascular surgeons and trainees.
• Data was collected from June 15 to October 15, 2020, using English and bilingual English-Mandarin versions.

Main Results:

• 856 responses from 84 countries were analyzed, with most participants finding online activities positive (84.7%).
• Key participation drivers were activity topic (51.4%) and presenter reputation (20.8%), with accreditation being less critical (6.1%).
• Identified weaknesses included lack of time (50.5%), no protected time (57%), and absence of accreditation, while technical issues were minimal (2.9%).

Conclusions:

• Vascular e-learning was widely adopted and appreciated by international vascular professionals during the pandemic.
• Findings highlight areas for improvement in online vascular surgery education, focusing on time allocation and accreditation.