39. In-person, Hybrid, and Virtual Grand Rounds in Plastic Surgery: Impact and Participant Perceptions

Abstract

Background: Many plastic surgery residency programs adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing virtual grand rounds. Little is known regarding the impact of virtual grand rounds, how attendees perceived virtual grand rounds, and how best to implement grand rounds moving forward. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to residents, fellows, and faculty within two multi-site plastic surgery residency training programs as part of a quality improvement initiative. Attendance and speaker characteristics were compared between the 2017-2018 (in-person) and 2021-2022 (virtual) academic years. Hybrid grand rounds were defined as in-person for speakers and others who could attend. Results: There were 39 respondents (51% faculty, 41% residents, and 8% fellows), with a response rate of 67% among those who attended at least one grand rounds in 2021-2022. Most respondents had experience speaking at grand rounds (66.7%) and had experienced grand rounds in-person before the COVID-19 pandemic (76.9%). Between residents/fellows and attendings, there was no evidence of different preferences for the format of future grand rounds (p=0.08), with most preferring hybrid. Most respondents indicated a more accessible learning environment (86.8%) and lack of in-person interaction (82.1%) as reasons for liking and not liking virtual grand rounds, respectively. Excluding outliers, attendance in 2021-2022 was on average 7.4 percentage points greater than in 2017-2018 (p < 0.001), or 6-7 more individuals at each session. Of those present both in 2017-2018 and in 2021-2022 (n = 46), 6 individuals had lower attendance scores in 2021-2022, 7 individuals attended 0 grand rounds in both years, and 33 individuals increased their attendance in 2021-2022, including all but one trainee. There were significantly more out-of-state speakers in 2021-2022 (84%) as compared to 2017-2018 (28%) (p = 0.0008). Conclusion: Virtual grand rounds improved attendance and the geographic diversity of speakers. Attendees preferred a hybrid format for future grand rounds, citing advantages and disadvantages to both in-person and virtual formats. Plastic surgery residency programs should consider hybrid formats for future grand rounds.