MP67-10 REDIRECTING A GLOBAL HEALTH SURGICAL PROGRAM TO REMOTE SUPPORT DURING A PANDEMIC: THE IVU VIRTUAL VISITING PROFESSORSHIP PROGRAM

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologyGlobal Health/Humanitarian (MP67)1 Sep 2021MP67-10 REDIRECTING A GLOBAL HEALTH SURGICAL PROGRAM TO REMOTE SUPPORT DURING A PANDEMIC: THE IVU VIRTUAL VISITING PROFESSORSHIP PROGRAM Sanjay Das, Frank Burks, Patricia Christensen, Joseph Costa, Katherine Crawford, Benjamin Davies, Scott Eggener, Janelle Fox, Maahum Haider, Susan Kalota, Kurt McCammon, Ian Metzler, Eric Richter, Francis X Schneck, Joseph Smith, Heidi Stephany, Danielle D Sweeney, and Christina B. Ching Sanjay DasSanjay Das More articles by this author , Frank BurksFrank Burks More articles by this author , Patricia ChristensenPatricia Christensen More articles by this author , Joseph CostaJoseph Costa More articles by this author , Katherine CrawfordKatherine Crawford More articles by this author , Benjamin DaviesBenjamin Davies More articles by this author , Scott EggenerScott Eggener More articles by this author , Janelle FoxJanelle Fox More articles by this author , Maahum HaiderMaahum Haider More articles by this author , Susan KalotaSusan Kalota More articles by this author , Kurt McCammonKurt McCammon More articles by this author , Ian MetzlerIan Metzler More articles by this author , Eric RichterEric Richter More articles by this author , Francis X SchneckFrancis X Schneck More articles by this author , Joseph SmithJoseph Smith More articles by this author , Heidi StephanyHeidi Stephany More articles by this author , Danielle D SweeneyDanielle D Sweeney More articles by this author , and Christina B. ChingChristina B. Ching More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000002028.10AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Global health surgical programs generally provide support through hands on surgical workshops. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted domestic and international travel, virtually eliminating the ability of such programs to provide in person care. International Volunteers in Urology (IVU) has developed a virtual visiting professorship (VVP) program out of necessity to redirect in person support to virtual support. METHODS: The VVP program was established in February 2020 when the decision was being made to suspend surgical mission trips. The program consists of hour long lectures provided to established international sites at which IVU has previously held global health surgical workshops on topics requested by those sites after solicitation by IVU. Lecturers are IVU volunteers. We report the experience of the IVU VVP program from February 2020 through January 2021. We evaluated the number and timing of VVPs, as well as topics, locations served, and volunteers engaged. We also report the results of a basic survey from participants evaluating the program. RESULTS: 42 lectures have been given over 12 months. Topics included those in General Urology (n=9), Oncology (n=20), Female Urology (n=2), Reconstruction (n=2), and Pediatrics (n=9). Lectures have been given to sites in 11 countries outside of the US, mainly in Africa, with 10 lectures given to the Pan-African Urological Surgeon’s Association. A total of 2,149 persons registered for the VVPs; 1,094 (51%) participated. While participation initially was proportionate to the number lectures given, there has been some decrease since September 2020 (Figure 1). The lectures have been given by 31 IVU volunteers, of which for 12 (39%), the VVP was their first experience with IVU. Participants ranked presentations on Likert Scale (0 poor-100 excellent) a median of 98. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has required global health surgical programs to significantly rethink their support of others. IVU has created a well-received VVP program that enables remote education during a time when it has been necessary for more self-isolation. Such a program enables maintained connectivity in this altered landscape of global health programs and has increased IVU participation. Source of Funding: None © 2021 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 206Issue Supplement 3September 2021Page: e513-e513 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2021 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Sanjay Das More articles by this author Frank Burks More articles by this author Patricia Christensen More articles by this author Joseph Costa More articles by this author Katherine Crawford More articles by this author Benjamin Davies More articles by this author Scott Eggener More articles by this author Janelle Fox More articles by this author Maahum Haider More articles by this author Susan Kalota More articles by this author Kurt McCammon More articles by this author Ian Metzler More articles by this author Eric Richter More articles by this author Francis X Schneck More articles by this author Joseph Smith More articles by this author Heidi Stephany More articles by this author Danielle D Sweeney More articles by this author Christina B. 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