Global Uptake of a Virtual Neurology Clinical Reasoning Conference: Live versus Asynchronous Learning

ABSTRACT

Objective: Compare the global uptake of a neurology clinical reasoning conference between live sessions and asynchronous learning through different online platforms. Background: Online learning has emerged as an important component of medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing for both live and asynchronous learning. Podcasts have become a popular education resource, increasing the reach of educators. Design/Methods: In collaboration with The Clinical Problem Solvers (CPS) online medical education group, we developed a neurology virtual morning report (NVMR) in which cases are presented and discussed by trainees with a neurologist facilitator. These sessions are held live weekly on Zoom, then posted for asynchronous learning on the CPS website and YouTube. Some sessions are released as podcast episodes. We gathered data from August 25, 2020 to October 2, 2021 on live conference attendance, views on the CPS website and Youtube, and podcast downloads to evaluate global uptake across platforms. Results: The first 50 NVMR had an average live attendance of 47 participants per session. All 50 episodes were posted on the CPS website (10,059 views;average 201.2 views/episode), 20 episodes were posted on YouTube (4,198 views;average 285.1 views/episode), and 8 episodes were released as podcasts (6954 downloads on Spotify;average 887.5 downloads/episode). Asynchronous viewing through all platforms (podcasts, website, and Youtube) increased the reach of NVMR 9.16 fold over live attendance. Podcasts represented the greatest increase in reach in comparison to live NVMR. Conclusions: Asynchronous learning, especially through podcasts, expands the global reach of live virtual conferences for neurology clinical reasoning education. As online education increases in neurology, options for asynchronous learning could improve global accessibility of educational content.