Using Grand Rounds to Train and Prepare a Local Public Health Workforce To Manage COVID-19 Outbreaks During the 2020-2021 Pandemic Winter Upsurge.

In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) expanded its workforce by >250 staff during Fall 2020 to manage the expected volume of outbreaks, which ultimately peaked. The workforce included reorganized groups of physicians, nurses, outbreak investigators from several DPH programs, and a 100+ member data science team tasked with designing and operating a data system and information flow process that became the backbone infrastructure of support for field investigation and outbreak management in real-time. The accelerated workforce expansion was completed in 3 months. To prepare new and reassigned permanent staff for fieldwork, DPH and several faculty from the Emory University Rollins School of Public Health adopted a flexible, skills-based series of medical Grand Rounds. These 16 sessions were grounded in practice- and problem-based learning principles using case studies, interactive scenarios, and didactic presentations based on scientific and public health practice information to teach knowledge and skills that were needed to manage COVID-19 outbreaks in different sectors. The evaluation suggests positive experience with the training series as well as impact on job performance.

Excellence Available Everywhere: The Virtual Pathology Grand Rounds Experience.

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.

Virtual grand rounds as a novel means for applicants and programs to connect in the era of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has disrupted the 2020-2021 residency application cycle with the cancellation of away rotations and in-person interviews. This study seeks to investigate the feasibility and utility of video conferencing technology (VCT) as an opportunity for applicants to interact with faculty from outside programs. METHODS: 18 prospective urology applicants were randomized to 6 urology programs to give a virtual grand rounds (VGR) talk. Presentations were recorded and analyzed to determine audience engagement. Students were surveyed regarding perceived utility of VGR. Faculty were surveyed to determine system usability of VCT and ability to evaluate the applicant. RESULTS: 17 students completed the survey, reporting a 100% satisfaction rate with VGR. A majority felt this was a useful way to learn about outside programs. 85 physicians completed the faculty survey, with nearly half feeling confident in their ability to evaluate the applicant. Video transcription data shows sessions were interactive with minimal distractions. CONCLUSIONS: VGR can be a useful means for medical students to express interest in programs as well as an additional marker for faculty to evaluate applicants.