ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the educational value of a national virtual fracture conference implemented during the COVID-19 disruption of resident education. DESIGN: Survey study. SETTING: National virtual conference administered by the Orthopaedic Trauma Association. PARTICIPANTS: Attendees of virtual fracture conference. INTERVENTION: Participation at a national virtual fracture conference. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Surveys of perception of quality and value of virtual conferences relative to in-person conferences. RESULTS: Ninety-six percent of participants rated the virtual fracture conference as similar or improved educational quality relative to conventional in-person fracture conference. Participants also felt they learned as much (35%) or more (57%) at each virtual fracture conference compared to the amount learned in-person. The quality of interpersonal interactions at both the resident-faculty level and faculty-faculty level was also perceived to be overall superior to those at participants' own institutions. Learners felt they were more likely to engage the primary literature as well. Overall, 100% of participants were likely to recommend virtual conference to their colleagues and 100% recommended continuing this conference even after COVID-19 issues resolve. CONCLUSIONS: We found that learners find significant educational value in a national virtual fracture conference compared to in-person fracture conferences at their own institution. COVID-19 has proven to be a disruptor not only in health care but in medical education as well, accelerating our adoption of innovative and novel resident didactics. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III.