key: cord-342459-aroutcgh
authors: Feldman, Hope A.; Antonoff, Mara B.
title: Commentary: Remote Learning Creates More Room at the Table
date: 2020-08-06
journal: J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2020.08.002
sha: 
doc_id: 342459
cord_uid: aroutcgh

nan

The COVID-19 Pandemic has necessitated changes in surgical education. 1 The online platforms that replaced in-person gatherings have allowed for increased participation from a 2 diverse audience. It is difficult to think of an area of daily life that has not been impacted by the 2019 novel coronavirus 18 (COVID-19) pandemic. Still harder is recognizing a silver lining during a time that has been devastating 19 for so many people. In this Expert Opinion, Dr. Vervoot and colleagues discuss the many benefits to be 20 gained from the increased utilization of online platforms for surgical education and conferences 1 . 21 Continuing surgical education during this unprecedented time-a time in which maintaining an 22 adequate physical distance from others has been prioritized-has posed a number of newchallenges. In 23 place of grand rounds held in large auditoriums, one now finds resident and attending physicians sitting 24 attentively in front of computer screens. All conferences have been cancelled or moved to online 25 platforms for the foreseeable future. The settings have changed, yet the learning has continued. Many 26 residency and fellowship programs have quickly integrated novel virtual learning platforms into their 27 curricula 2-4 . Some have argued that our current experiences have allowed for reassessment of prior 28 teaching methods, ultimately resulting in improvements that will outlast the pandemic 5 . While these 29 changes have certainly come with some growing pains, Vervoot and his colleagues have concluded that 30 there should be a role for continued use of these technologies in the future 1 outside of a pandemic, travel may be challenging for trainees and early careerists trying to balance child-39 bearing and child-rearing with academic careers 6 . Now, more than ever, as we think about the face of 40 CT surgery and broadening our efforts toward diversity and inclusivity, it's critical to ensure that we are 41 making seats at the table for all 7 . One of the unexpected benefits of the virtual venue is that, not only 42 does it create opportunity for more participants to hear from the experts, it creates a more welcoming 43 means of allowing all participants to interact with the so-called experts. We know that women and 44 underrepresented minorities may be reluctant to speak up or ask questions in a live format, and the 45 virtual format allows anyone with a thoughtful, articulate question the opportunity to pose it-without 46 the social and political stressors of waiting in line at the podium 8 . 47

Aldous Huxley, the author of the referenced Brave New World, wrote, "I wanted to change the world. 48

But I have found that the only thing one can be sure of changing is oneself" 9 . We are currently living in a 49 time in which much of what goes on around us is beyond our control. However, as a surgical community 50 we must adapt to the current circumstances in order to continue advancing our field, training future 51 generations, and providing the best possible care to our patients. 52 53 54 J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f

Brave New World: Virtual Conferencing and Surgical 56

Education in the COVID-19 Era

Virtual Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Disruptive 58 Technology in Graduate Medical Education

Using Technology to Maintain the Education of Residents During 60 the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cardiothoracic Education in the Time of 62 COVID-19: How I Teach It

COVID-19 Disruption in Cardiothoracic 64

Surgical Training: An Opportunity to Enhance Education

Opportunities for Academic Achievement During Parental Leave: The Society of 66

Thoracic Surgeons Sets the Standard

The Importance of a Diverse 68

Specialty: Introducing the STS Workforce on Diversity and Inclusion

Meeting the Educational Needs of an Increasingly Diverse