E-learning via webinars in orthopedics and trauma surgery : Increase in supply and demand during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Published in: Unfallchirurgie (Heidelberg, Germany) Germany), 2023-11, Vol.126 (11), p.886-894
• Main Authors: Erne, Felix, Back, David A, Gehlen, Tobias, Baumgartner, Heiko, Zimmermann, Alexander, Seemann, Ricarda J
• Format: Article
• Language: ger
• ISSN: 2731-703X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00113-022-01245-1

BACKGROUNDContact teaching was prohibited by nationwide lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. The scientific literature contains no concrete figures concerning e‑learning via webinars in the subject of orthopedics and trauma surgery in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.OBJECTIVEThis research study was established to collect facts and figures about webinars as a representative part of e‑learning in the subject of orthopedics and trauma surgery in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.MATERIAL AND METHODSGerman-speaking non-commercial and edited webinars, produced by suppliers from Germany were identified using common search engines. Structured interviews with questionnaires about provider, format, and number of participants in the webinars over time, were offered to the operating companies.RESULTSThe study included four suppliers of webinars (AO Online Campus, BVOU Study Club, OU TO GO and WebDGU). There was approval of all operating companies to participate in the interviews and to disclose facts and figures about their webinars. All suppliers showed an increased supply and demand for webinars during the COVID-19 pandemic.DISCUSSIONOU TO GO and BVOU Study Club already offered webinars prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. AO online Campus was designed in addition to the existing portfolio. The supply of WebDGU was newly established. Limitations of this study are the exclusion of commercial suppliers, non-German operating companies and all other types of e‑learning except webinars. The increased supply and demand for webinars during the COVID-19 pandemic gives hope for further improvement of e‑learning in the subject of orthopedics and trauma surgery.