Perceived Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Continuing Professional Development (CPD) During COVID-19: CPD Providers' Perspectives.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 precipitated many CPD providers to develop new technology competencies to create effective online CPD. This study aims to improve our understanding of CPD providers' comfort level, supports, perceived advantages/disadvantages, and issues in technology-enhanced CPD delivery during COVID-19. METHODS: A survey was distributed to CPD providers at the University of Toronto and members of the Society for Academic Continuing Medical Education and analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Of the 111 respondents, 81% felt very to somewhat confident to provide online CPD, but less than half reported IT, financial, or faculty development supports. The top reported advantage to online CPD delivery was reaching a new demographic; top disadvantages included videoconferencing fatigue, social isolation, and competing priorities. There was interest in using less frequently used educational technology such as online collaboration tools, virtual patients, and augmented/virtual reality. DISCUSSION: COVID-19 precipitated an increased comfort level in using synchronous technologies to provide CPD, giving the CPD community an increased cultural acceptance and skill level to build on. As we move beyond the pandemic, it will be important to consider ongoing faculty development, particularly toward asynchronous and HyFlex delivery methods to continue expand CPD reach and negate negative online experiences such as videoconferencing fatigue, social isolation, and online distractions.

Online learning in Health Professions Education. Part 1: Teaching and learning in online environments: AMEE Guide No. 161.

Online learning in Health Professions Education (HPE) has been evolving over decades, but COVID-19 changed its use abruptly. Technology allowed necessary HPE during COVID-19, but also demonstrated that many HP educators and learners had little knowledge and experience of these complex sociotechnical environments. Due to the educational benefits and flexibility that technology can afford, many higher education experts agree that online learning will continue and evolve long after COVID-19. As HP educators stand at the crossroads of technology integration, it is important that we examine the evidence, theories, advantages/disadvantages, and pedagogically informed design of online learning. This Guide will provide foundational concepts and practical strategies to support HPE educators and institutions toward advancing pedagogically informed use of online HPE. This Guide consists of two parts. The first part will provide an overview of evidence, theories, formats, and educational design in online learning, including contemporary issues and considerations such as learner engagement, faculty development, inclusivity, accessibility, copyright, and privacy. The second part (to be published as a separate Guide) focuses on specific technology tool types with practical examples for implementation and integration of the concepts discussed in Guide 1, and will include digital scholarship, learning analytics, and emerging technologies. In sum, both guides should be read together, as Guide 1 provides the foundation required for the practical application of technology showcased in Guide 2.Please refer to the video abstract for Part 1 of this Guide at https://bit.ly/AMEEGuideOnlineLearning.