The first virtual ASPIRE 7 and 8 programs: preparing senior vascular trainees for FRCS and consultancy using a Post-Graduate Virtual Learning Environment

Abstract

Abstract Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significantly reduced educational opportunities for vascular trainees in the UK. Senior trainees preparing for their FRCS exam and future consultant interviews could not attend the usual preparation courses due to the pandemic. Learning Management Systems (LMS) have been used to good effect in undergraduate education, but to a lesser degree in post-graduate studies. Health Education England West Midlands (HEEWM) has developed a Post-Graduate Virtual Learning Environment (PGVLE). The aim of this study was to establish and evaluate a model for the delivery of the ASPIRE-7 and ASPIRE-8 post-graduate vascular courses using the PGVLE. Methods: The national two-day ASPIRE 7 and 8 courses were developed by the faculty in collaboration with the PGVLE team. Pre-course PGVLE guides for faculty and resources for candidates were generated on the PGVLE. Centralised feedback using integrated PGVLE software was gathered which, once completed, allowed autogenerated candidate and faculty certificate distribution. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of previous PGVLE use, pre-course materials/guides and the in-course lectures and mock scenarios was completed. Results: ASPIRE-7: 39 candidates attended ASPIRE-7, which was supported by 27 faculty of which 92% and 78% completed feedback, respectively. Pre-course lectures, overall educational course value and PGVLE good/excellent ratings were 91%, 100% and 97%, respectively. 90% of ASPIRE-7 faculty found the PGVLE easy to use for delivering education, despite 76% being new to using the software. ASPIRE-8: 14 candidates attended with 14 faculty, of which 79% and 36% completed feedback, respectively. The overall educational value, PGVLE and BigBlueButton (BBB) good/excellent scores were 100%. 100% of faculty found the PGVLE easy to use for delivering the educational aims. Conclusions: This study shows that the PGVLE can be used to provide robust, high quality post-graduate education programs for vascular surgeons nearing the end of their training. Its key uses are as web conferencing software, as an information repository and to both support and automate much of the governance that surrounds the administrational management to develop complex educational programs.