Excellence Available Everywhere: The Virtual Pathology Grand Rounds Experience. Issue 5 (12th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mirza, Kamran M; Gonzalez, Raul S; Jiang, Xiaoyin "Sara"; Khanafshar, Elham; Wobker, Sara E
• Is Part Of: American journal of clinical pathology. Volume 156:Issue 5(2021)
• Page Start: 839
• Page End: 845
• Publication Date: 2021-05-12
• Subjects: Medical education -- Grand rounds -- Virtual teaching -- COVID-19; Diagnosis, Laboratory -- Periodicals; Pathology -- Periodicals; 616.07
• DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqab029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-9173

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: The goal is to describe the use of a virtual platform in the delivery of Virtual Pathology Grand Rounds (VPGR) and discuss the overall experience from the perspective of hosts, speakers, and participants. Methods: Zoom was a natural choice for an online format because virtual platforms had been increasingly used to conduct meetings and medical education. VPGR hosted 14 speakers on a variety of topics, including subspecialty anatomic pathology material, digital pathology, molecular pathology, and medical education. Results: There were 221 registrants and 114 participants for the first lecture, reaching a maximum of 1, 268 registrants for the 12th lecture and the maximum limit of 300 participants during 3 lectures. Speakers stated that VPGR conveniently provided career-building opportunities through partnerships with host universities and remote attendance. Participants identified a lack of interpersonal communication and technical challenges as downsides. Conclusions: VPGR serves as strong proof of concept for the feasibility and demand for high-quality, remote academic pathology talks.