Hosting an Educational Careers Day Within the Virtual Paradigm: The Neurology and Neurosurgery Interest Group Experience.

George E Richardson ,Ajitesh Anand,Orla Mantle,Conor S Gillespie,Rosaline De Koning,Zeluleko Sibanda,Phil Mcelnay,Illectra Lerou,Setthasorn Zhi Yang Ooi,Armin Nazari,Bailint Borbas,Joshua Erhabor,Alistair Jenkins,Suzanne Murray,Catinca Ciuculete,Soham Bandyopadhyay,John Ong ,Jay J Park ,Emma Norton ,Alvaro Yanez Touzet ,Jigi M Joshi ,Peter J Hutchinson ,Harmani Kaur Daler

doi:10.7759/cureus.21162

Abstract

Introduction: To explore our experience of hosting the 10th Annual Neurology and Neurosurgery Interest Group-Society of British Neurological Surgeons (NANSIG-SBNS) Neurosurgery Careers Day, held virtually for the first time.Methods: Reflective feedback and review of an international, virtual neurosurgery careers day. The authors reflect on the logistics of organizing the event, and the pre- and post-event feedback provided by delegates. Recommendations have been made on how to successfully host a virtual event. The key themes that permeated the event have been outlined and discussed in the context of the feedback received.Results: The event was attended by 231 delegates from 20 countries worldwide. Knowledge of neurosurgery as a career and the application process increased after attending the careers day (4.27/5 to 4.51/5, p=0.003 and 3.12/5 to 4.31/5, p<0.001 respectively). The key themes identified from the event include attendance, networking, and education. Qualitative feedback was positive and indicated a positive perception of the careers day.Conclusions: The future of educational events is unclear, and a hybrid approach is recommended to retain the benefits of the online space when in-person events eventually return.

Highlights

To explore our experience of hosting the 10 th Annual Neurology and Neurosurgery Interest Group-Society of British Neurological Surgeons (NANSIG-SBNS) Neurosurgery Careers Day, held virtually for the first time
The future of educational events is unclear, and a hybrid approach is recommended to retain the benefits of the online space when in-person events eventually return
The SBNS is partnered with the Neurology and Neurosurgery Interest Group (NANSIG), a medical student and a junior doctor-led national neuroscience organization

Summary

Introduction

To explore our experience of hosting the 10 th Annual Neurology and Neurosurgery Interest Group-Society of British Neurological Surgeons (NANSIG-SBNS) Neurosurgery Careers Day, held virtually for the first time. The Society of British Neurological Surgeons (SBNS) is the UK’s nationally recognized medical association for neurosurgeons [1]. One of the key focuses of the organization is education and training To further this aim, the SBNS is partnered with the Neurology and Neurosurgery Interest Group (NANSIG), a medical student and a junior doctor-led national neuroscience organization. The key objective of this annual event has been to educate medical students and junior doctors about how to pursue a future career as a neurosurgeon in the UK. January 2021 marked the 10th annual NANSIG-SBNS Neurosurgery Careers Day and was the first time the event had been hosted virtually

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