Online Webinar Research Articles

Increasing the Awareness of the Benefits of Earth Observation Applications through the Space Information Infrastructure Capacity Building and Training Program (SIICaP)

Abstract. Earth observation (EO) applications offer significant potential for addressing challenges and driving sustainable development in the Philippines. Despite the positive effect EO services can bring, its utilization encounter barriers that includes the lack of awareness of its benefits. The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) initiated the Space Information Infrastructure Capacity Building and Training Program (SIICaP) that aims to promote awareness of EO applications through free and inclusive online webinar platforms. This paper highlights the various webinars conducted by SIICaP showing their relevance in raising awareness of EO data, services, and programs. The analysis of evaluation results from the webinar participants further illustrates the program’s reach and success. By showcasing SIICaP, this paper contributes to efforts in developing capacity building programs that aim to have the same objectives of SIICaP.

Unleashing the Dynamic Strategies in the Era of Change – A Spotlight on the ISPRS Student Consortium's Global Contributions

Abstract. ISPRS Student Consortium (ISPRS SC) has played a significant role in bringing students and young researchers closer to the field of remote sensing and photogrammetry in the evolving landscape of geospatial sciences. Innovative strategies and events have been employed by the ISPRS SC to address contemporary challenges and harness emerging opportunities in the field of photogrammetry and remote sensing. Through an analysis of the global contributions of ISPRS SC, ranging from research initiatives to the online webinar series, this paper underscores the consortium's commitment to fostering collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange among young scholars and professionals worldwide. The paper highlights key thematic areas addressed by ISPRS SC such as advancements in remote sensing technologies, geospatial data analysis, and applications in diverse domains including environmental monitoring, agriculture, urban planning, and disaster management. Moreover, in this paper, we emphasize the role of the consortium in nurturing future leaders in geospatial sciences through ISPRS SC mentorship programs, networking opportunities, and capacity-building initiatives. By highlighting the initiatives led by the ISPRS Student Consortium, this paper underscores the key role of youth-driven innovation for positive change and shaping the future of geospatial sciences on a global scale.

A novel training session: mixed reality evisceration surgery webinar.

Evisceration surgery is an important part of an ophthalmologist's skillset but is an uncommon procedure. Therefore, it is important for training ophthalmologists to have adequate knowledge and confidence in this procedure to maximise learning opportunities. Mixed reality involves the intertwining of real and virtual environments and has been used successfully in surgical training. To improve participants' knowledge of the relevant anatomy, steps and confidence in performing evisceration surgery using an extended reality online webinar coupled with conventional teaching. The teaching session comprised of a short lecture introducing evisceration and explaining mixed reality technology including the Microsoft HoloLens headset. This was followed by a 3D demonstration of the orbit and globe, then the live evisceration procedure on a porcine cadaver, with the surgeon's point of view via the headset. There was expert live running commentary during the procedure with the use of virtual signposts on relevant anatomy. Participants were encouraged to be interactive and given the ability to share their annotations on-screen. Ten doctors ranging from Foundation year 1 to Ophthalmology specialist training year 3 attended the 90-min session and completed pre- and post- session questionnaires (5-point Likert scales). Results showed statistically significant improvements in the knowledge, steps and confidence in performing the evisceration surgery (paired two-sample T-tests, SPSS version 29). This study has demonstrated that utilisation of mixed reality with conventional teaching methods can provide a useful initial learning experience which may facilitate effective further learning of the evisceration surgery in a wet-lab or patient setting.

Maximising academic achievement in online learning: the role of student-content engagement strategies and profiles

ABSTRACT Learner engagement is crucial for success in online learning, and interaction plays a key role in developing engagement. While previous studies have focused on student-instructor and student-student interaction, this study examines the impact of student-content interaction, measured on digital traces data, on academic achievement in an online course. By considering specific engagement strategies and profiles, a more comprehensive understanding of student-content interaction is achieved. Three engagement profiles were identified: synchronously engaged, asynchronously engaged, and disengaged. The synchronously engaged profile was found to be the most beneficial for academic achievement, especially for high-performing students. The study also revealed a positive relationship between engagement strategies and academic achievement, with online webinar attendance being the most contributing. Additionally, the impact of engagement strategies and profiles varied for students with different levels of prior performance. Practical implications for enhancing and monitoring engagement among different student groups are discussed.

Evaluation of a Novel Online Webinar for Health Care Practitioner Education on the Health Effects of Smoking Cannabis in the Airway

Evaluation of a Novel Online Webinar for Health Care Practitioner Education on the Health Effects of Smoking Cannabis in the Airway

550 Implementation of Inclusive Initiatives at a Grassroot Level to Ensure Long-Term Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity in Surgery

Abstract Aim Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in surgery begins at ensuring accessible initiatives are executed at a grassroot level for prospective students. The Royal College of Surgeons illustrated that 20% of their surgical leadership positions were from BAME communities. SGUL MedEd Society aims to support students from widening participation (WP) backgrounds in their medical application by addressing disparities and providing support within these areas. Method We conducted free sessions aimed at different aspects of the medicine application with the intention of facilitating understanding and support for WP students. Multiple domains were covered such as a UCAT webinar, an ‘Experience into medicine’ simulated workshop covering the key learning styles employed in university as well as multiple mini-interview (MMI) preparation through an online webinar and in-person mock. Feedback forms were implemented before and after sessions using 5-Point Likert scales to measure changes in confidence. Results An increase in confidence applying to medical school was observed in the ‘Experience into medicine’ workshop (n=25) with a 60% rise in students rating 4/5. Statistical analysis was carried out on the results obtained from the MMI webinar (n=169) using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test which suggested the initiative significantly improved students’ confidence (w=14, a=0.005). This was followed by a practice MMI session (n=68) whereby 50% of students reported feeling more prepared for a real MMI. Conclusions These results suggest there is a substantial improvement in confidence in WP students after the event, increasing the likelihood of inclusivity in medicine. This has wider implications in supporting applications into surgery in the future.

Primary health clinicians' attitudes towards liquid biopsy as diagnostic test for advanced lung cancer.

e13525 Background: Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer mortality globally. In New Zealand (NZ), lung cancer disproportionately affects our indigenous Māori population with both incidence and mortality being three times higher than NZ-Europeans. Incidence of endothelial growth factor receptor mutated lung cancer is two to three times higher in Māori, Pacific, and Asian people compared to NZ-Europeans. Diagnostic delays arise from tissue biopsy difficulties and a lack of standardization in molecular testing. These delays could potentially be reduced if testing was augmented by liquid biopsy (LB) at the outset of diagnosis. LB could be more accessible, faster, and lower cost compared to tissue biopsy. We aimed to evaluate primary health clinicians’ (PHCs’) attitudes towards use of LB for molecular testing and lung cancer diagnosis. Methods: A NZ national survey was conducted of PHCs. The online survey was distributed through PHC bulletins, newsletters, and social media. It was open to circulation between November 2023 to January 2024 and consenting clinicians completed this via REDCap. Descriptive analysis was performed and reported in aggregate. Results: Seventy-two PHCs responded with 58 complete responses. Respondents were 78% urban and 25% worked in practices of very low-cost access. Current diagnostic challenges reported include limited PHC appointments, poor access to imaging, and limited access to specialist care. Fast track diagnostic pathway to specialist care existed for 55% of respondents. 92% were initially unaware of LB for molecular testing. 79% were not comfortable with pre-test genetic counselling associated for this. Concerns raised about LB included subsequent patient access to secondary care and establishing a culturally appropriate pathway particularly for Māori. Some rural PHCs highlighted the potential of LB to complement existing procedures. Provided there were adequate training and funding for LB, 72% of respondents would be comfortable requesting LB and associated counselling. The most preferred types of training were PHC focused articles (70%), online clinical pathways (68%), webinar (61%), online course (51%), and in-person presentation (46%). Conclusions: Most PHCs were not familiar with LB for molecular testing but 72% supported these tests to be incorporated into current pathways. There is a need to develop culturally safe pathways with sufficient training and funding, in order to reduce health inequities.

The economic burden of multimorbidity: Protocol for a systematic review.

Multimorbidity, also known as multiple long-term conditions, leads to higher healthcare utilisation, including hospitalisation, readmission, and polypharmacy, as well as a financial burden to families, society, and nations. Despite some progress, the economic burden of multimorbidity remains poorly understood. This paper outlines a protocol for a systematic review that aims to identify and synthesise comprehensive evidence on the economic burden of multimorbidity, considering various definitions and measurements of multimorbidity, including their implications for future cost-of-illness analyses. The review will include studies involving people of all ages with multimorbidity without any restriction on location and setting. Cost-of-illness studies or studies that examined economic burden including model-based studies will be included, and economic evaluation studies will be excluded. Databases including Scopus (that includes PubMed/MEDLINE), Web of Science, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO, NHS EED (including the HTA database), and the Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Registry, will be searched until March 2024. The risk of bias within included studies will be independently assessed by two authors using appropriate checklists. A narrative synthesis of the main characteristics and results, by definitions and measurements of multimorbidity, will be conducted. The total economic burden of multimorbidity will be reported as mean annual costs per patient and disaggregated based on counts of diseases, disease clusters, and weighted indices. The results of this review will provide valuable insights for researchers into the key cost components and areas that require further investigation in order to improve the rigour of future studies on the economic burden of multimorbidity. Additionally, these findings will broaden our understanding of the economic impact of multimorbidity, inform us about the costs of inaction, and guide decision-making regarding resource allocation and cost-effective interventions. The systematic review's results will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal, presented at conferences, and shared via an online webinar for discussion.

P035 BSR Digital resources- Spotlights and Podcasts The Story So Far

Abstract Background/Aims The British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) has an eLearning site for members. Due to increasing demand for online learning triggered in part by the COVID pandemic, a decision was made to create a BSR digital learning board and produce a broader range of content. Methods The Digital Learning Board (DLB) was formed in February 2021 consisting of trainees, nurses, Consultant Rheumatologists and Allied Healthcare Professionals from all around the 4 nations. After consultation and discussion, a decision was made to produce two main new formats of resources in addition to the online webinar series that was already established. This included Spotlights where a variety of blended learning resources including webinars, podcasts, eLearning cases and links to relevant journal articles are collated on a topic. The Talking Rheumatology Spotlight podcast series was also developed and shared on streaming platforms such as Spotify, iTunes and the eLearning website. This includes overview podcasts on topics as well as bonus case based episodes. Resources for the wider community (not limited to members) include the podcasts and ‘How to’ resources created for doctors and nurses starting work in the specialty for the first time. Numbers of podcast downloads, views on the eLearning website and quantitative and qualitative feedback is collected via eLearning website. Results The DLB have produced 30 spotlights with the most popular topics being axial spondyloarthropathy, psoriatic arthritis and Sjogren’s. The average rating for this series is 4.5/5. Examples of feedback; “all areas of great interest and very educational”“I really enjoyed the course, the fact that BSR included several podcasts allowed me to complete the course while doing my exercise. Great course really useful for my clinical practice” 28 podcasts have also been produced so far. There have been 15,500 downloads with significant international interest particularly in the US, Europe and Oceania. The most popular episodes so far have been Polymyalgia rheumatica and Sjogren's syndrome. The how to resources for trainees resource has been viewed 3,897 times by 1502 unique users, and the how to for nurses resource has been viewed 3159 times by 1360 unique .Examples of feedback from nurses “I have now been in post for 6 months and have learnt so much with this resource”“Great introductory course to Rheumatology” Conclusion Work is underway to promote the resources, seek feedback and suggestions for further topics. Many face to face education programmes including the BSR’s own are running again but research (1) and behaviour suggest blended learning is here to stay and complements in person learning well. We are exploring this area further through the development of pre course learning for our face-to-face courses. Disclosure R. Benson: None. L. Coulson: Other; Louise works for the BSR as Digital Events Manager. W.J. Gregory: Honoraria; W.G. has received honoraria for speaker and advisory board from Abbive, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB.. J. Lemon: None. Y.L. Man: None. K. Maxey: Other; Kate works for the BSR as events and education officer. D. Pilbury: None. M. Serrano: Other; Marina works for the BSR as acting Head of Education. C. Wincup: None. P.A. Watson: Other; I am employed by the British Society for Rheumatology as Digital Learning Editor (2PA per week). S. Ellis: None. E. Chibueze Mbanasor: None. M. Malik: None. B. Lakshmana Murthy: None.

Finding Center in the Heart (of the Pandemic): Practical Tools from the Islamic Tradition for Building Resilient Families in Times of Disruption and Trauma

When the COVID-19 pandemic drastically altered how people lived their lives, many called it a “wake up call.” Within the global Muslim community, many shared the sentiment that the coinciding of the lockdown with Ramadan presented an opportunity for khalwa (spiritual retreat and reflection). Although Muslim religious leaders sought to frame the Islamic tradition’s wisdom in light of the pandemic, much of this remained theoretical and abstract. The pandemic’s extended impact revealed that Muslim families lack guidance on how to employ the resources found in the Qur’ān and Sunnah practically for their own well-being and resilience.
 This paper outlines how one Muslim mental health professional and his network of colleagues responded to this crisis by tending to the well-being needs and collective trauma of Muslim families in the U.S. using online webinar platforms to address increased anxiety, family conflict, depression, and existential grief. A detailed framework of an Islamic psychology used as a psycho-educational tool to orient families to indigenous Islamic tools for building resiliency and decreased anxiety is also presented.
 From this user-friendly theoretical framework, a daily routine of psychological, physical, and contemplative exercises is mapped out and was amended to comply with the particular resources and restrictions imposed by the pandemic. The tools offered, while grounded in the Islamic tradition, provide contemporary and pragmatic solutions that many Muslims have used to build resiliency and engage with the dīn (Islamic religion) in a transformational, rather than a simply transactional, way during these trying times.

39 Effectiveness of an educational program covering on-farm finishing of beef cattle for direct-to-consumer in Kentucky

Abstract An educational program was developed to educate beef producers interested in marketing beef directly to the consumer. The program consisted of online webinars and two in-person sessions that were held in 6 locations throughout the state. Online webinar topics included marketing, working with the processor, food safety, forage management, confinement facilities, and environmental stewardship. In-person topics included growth and development and nutrition. The program participants were asked to complete a post-program survey at the end of the in-person session. Twenty-five survey responses were collected from the 95 in-person participants. Of the respondents, 44% indicated they were currently finishing cattle on-farm for direct markets, and the remaining participants included commercial cow-calf producers (44%), backgrounder-stocker producers (8%), and seedstock producers (4%). Participants were asked to indicate the overall level of information gained from the in-person sessions using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = not very informative; 5 = very informative), with an average response of 4.0. When asked to rate whether participating in the in-person sessions was an effective use of time using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = not very effective; 5 = very effective), the average response was 4.45. Participants were asked to rate their knowledge of various topics before and after each session using a 5-point Likert scale. Differences in pre- and post-knowledge levels were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test (SAS; Version 9.4; Cary, NC, USA). Participants reported increased knowledge of the length of time required to finish cattle in various production systems (P < 0.001). Participants reported an increased understanding of bunk scoring systems (P = 0.004). Participants also reported an increased knowledge related to mineral nutrition of finishing cattle (P = 0.01). When asked if participants planned to implement management changes due to this educational program 83% of respondents stated that they would implement management changes on their operations. The results from this survey suggest that participants increased their knowledge related to finishing cattle nutrition and management and that this increase in knowledge should result in on-farm changes improving the efficiency of finishing cattle for direct marketing.

HALAL INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION ASPECTS: CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK BASED ON THE THEMATIC STUDY OF THE QUR’AN

The article aims to analyze the different aspects of the halal certification process based on the thematic study of the Quran’s verses containing the word halal. The themes are -legislation, the practicality of the legislation, elimination of harm, and positive impact. Based on these themes and principles the conceptual framework is developed and various aspects of the halal certification process are analyzed. For analysis purposes, market leaders in 5 sectors are chosen. The qualitative analysis relied on online reports, company websites, research papers, and webinar proceedings. The study establishes a link between Quranic themes and Shariah principles. From the content analysis, it has been found that the most widely applied theme in all sectors is eliminating impurity; the most overlooked theme is positive impact. Leaders in the food and finance sector have a diversified Shariah board. However, shariah principles need to be incorporated in analyzing the customer demand, especially for processed food and clothing. The research is expected to assist the policymakers and other stakeholders in establishing a framework for halal certification that would maintain the label's integrity. The thematic study of the Quran highlights the necessity to take initiatives to reduce the knowledge gap, develop tools to assess customer demand, and the impact of consuming halal goods and services from a Shariah perspective. Such initiatives would assist in developing more halal products and services and boost economic and social impact.

Folklore, Heritage, and the Public Sphere: Introduction

Abstract Though they tend to occupy separate universes of discourse, public folklore and heritage studies share areas of common concern, including authority and ownership of cultural objects, power asymmetries, safeguarding and sustainability, and the implication of heritage in local economies, politics, and environmental justice. This special issue encompasses multiple domains of public folklore and heritage discourse, including museums, archives, and cultural property issues; culinary tourism; and relations between cultural practitioners, institutions, audiences, and stakeholders. The six essays are based on an online webinar organized by the Fellows of the American Folklore Society that explored a wide range of questions including how communities conceptualize relationships between past and present, remake traditions of the past in the present, integrate heritage and environmental sustainability, and negotiate power dynamics among stakeholders. Following the webinar, small groups assembled in salons to discuss these and related issues. Summaries of the salons follow the six essays. Together, these essays and salon summaries address not only the ways that heritage navigates the past in the present but the temporalities of heritage practice, which imagines the future while considering the ethical and dialogic dimensions of heritage practices and policies.

Empowering Women and Girls: Assessing the Impact of an Online Webinar on Legal Rights Awareness and Knowledge of DV Act 2005 in India

This research paper examines the impact of an online webinar on domestic violence awareness and knowledge of the Domestic Violence Act 2005 in India. It employs a two-group post-test experimental design to compare the knowledge levels of participants who attended the webinar with those who did not. The webinar aims to raise awareness about domestic violence, educate participants about the DV Act 2005, and empower individuals to take action. The findings will provide insights into the effectiveness of the webinar in enhancing understanding and knowledge of legal measures to address domestic violence. This research contributes to the existing literature and informs future efforts in designing effective awareness campaigns and educational interventions to combat domestic violence In India. Keywords — Artificial Intelligence, domestic violence, webinar

TRAINING OF INTERNS IN SURGERY: TODAY’S FEATURES

Summary. The aim: To find the most effective methods of training interns in surgery under conditions of martial law restrictions at the Department of General and Emergency Surgery of the National University of Health of Ukraine named after P.L. Shupika.
 Main part. Training for surgical interns was organized in a mixed format, that is, theoretical disciplines in an online format; and the acquisition of practical skills, the study of which requires access to the patient in an offline format. Distance education was conducted in the remote conference system on the Zoom Video Communications platform, and exchange resources using the cloud services of the Google platform were used. The mailing was carried out via Viber messengers, cellular communication. The educational material fully corresponded to the approved curriculum according to the internship program for intern doctors and the specialty “Surgery”. The content of the lecture material was presented as a PDF presentation. Seminar classes were conducted in the format of an online webinar, the results of test tasks and situational tasks were analyzed. Practical classes were limited to independent study of video materials of educational videos and operations. An interview, Viber messengers, chat, and e-mail were used for the final control of knowledge. In order to master the practical skills of operative interventions, interns in surgery were involved in the treatment process of the departments of the surgical clinical base of the department of the multidisciplinary city clinical hospital No. 6.
 Conclusions. The optimal ways of learning in the intramural cycle of internships in surgery in a mixed form in martial law conditions are a combination of teaching the theoretical part in an online format and acquiring practical skills in mastering surgical interventions through the integration of interns in an off-line format into practical activities in surgical departments of the clinical base of the Department of General and Emergency Surgery of of the National University of Health of Ukraine named after P.L. Shupika.

Expanding the reach of vaccinology training in Africa: leveraging the success of the Annual African Vaccinology Course.

It is estimated that one in five African children lack access to recommended life-saving vaccines. This situation has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic which disrupted routine immunization services in several parts of the region. To better support recovery efforts and get immunization programmes back on track, policy makers, programme managers, immunization providers and academics need continuous upskilling. Unfortunately, the vaccinology training needed by these cadres remains limited and oftentimes inaccessible within our context. In addition, cadres should be continuously updated on advances in vaccinology so as to keep abreast with this rapidly evolving field. This calls for new and accessible approaches to training vaccinologists in Africa where the demand is high. The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to ascertain the training needs of alumni of the Annual African Vaccinology Course and assess the effectiveness of an online webinar series in meeting those needs. We found that alumni from across Africa required refresher training to gain up-to-date information about new developments in vaccinology, leverage opportunities to reinforce and consolidate their knowledge, and exchange country-specific experiences with their counterparts. A prominent motivation for refresher training was the rapid developments and challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on the expressed needs of our alumni, we developed a webinar training series. This series aimed to provide participants with training on current and emerging trends in vaccinology with a focus on the regional context. Online participation in the webinar series was found to be comparable to previous in-person training, reaching a diverse group of cadres, and allowing for participation of a richer global faculty due to fewer cost constraints. Further to this, a post-training survey indicated that generally, alumni training needs were successfully met. The findings suggest that an online approach can be used to expand the reach of vaccinology training in Africa.

PkM Kesehatan Reproduksi Perempuan Dalam Perspektif Ekonomi

Health and productivity are equally important and interconnected. Health is a primary asset. Without good health, achieving productivity becomes challenging. During the peak of the pandemic, funds were redirected from women's and girls' health to other life-saving services. There was also a lack of awareness and general prioritization. This led to a significant funding gap in women's healthcare. Furthermore, the lack of funding for women's health research means that specific challenges or diseases affecting women and girls remain unaddressed. They contribute economically and enrich their nation's wealth. Additionally, they play a crucial role in fostering intergenerational progress, thereby creating more opportunities for their children. An economy that neglects women and girls will widen the gender parity gap. Prioritizing the health of women and girls is a crucial path to building a healthier economy, society, and community. Identifying the issue, aiming to understand why women lack understanding regarding reproductive health issues linked to the post-pandemic economic perspective, is an effort to prioritize health, especially reproductive health. The implementation of Community Service Program (PKM) is carried out through an online webinar via Zoom Meeting link and YouTube on Saturday, February 25, 2023. This activity is in the form of a planned training in partnership with the Cipayung sub-district as part of the university's development efforts, involving an Obstetrician-Gynecologist doctor. The target audience includes lecturers, students, and the general public from all over Indonesia, with a total of 238 participants, including professors, students, nurses, midwives, and the public. Participants comprehend the provided material, engage in discussions, and pose questions about women's reproductive health from an economic perspective.Keywords: Community Service Program (PKM), Reproductive Health, Economy, Women.

Analisis Wacana Kritis Tanggapan Megawati terhadap Persoalan Kelangkaan Minyak Goreng


 Megawati Soekarnoputri is the 5th former president of Indonesia and currently serves as chairman of the PDIP party. As an influential politician in Indonesia, all his actions and words can influence public opinion. At the online webinar entitled "Prevent Stunting for Golden Generation", Megawati alluded to the condition of the people who are facing the problem of scarcity of cooking oil. He responded to this problem by assuming that the community's reaction was excessive regarding the problem of scarcity of cooking oil. As a result of her response, Megawati received various criticisms from the public through various media. This research will focus on Megawati's response with the aim of knowing linguistic elements, the process of text production and consumption, as well as the socio-cultural conditions of society. This qualitative research uses the critical discourse analysis model of Norman Fairclough which divides the analysis into three dimensions, namely text analysis, discourse practice analysis and sociocultural analysis. The research results show that there are several cohesions and coherences that shape discourse and diction which indicate the communicator's view of the audience, the process of text production and consumption goes according to the topic being discussed but there are statements that make some groups feel unacceptable and the way of delivery is not wearing it, and social and cultural background that influences the formation of discourse and the response it receives because the discourse has something to do with sociocultural situations.
 Keywords : Critical Discourse Analysis, Megawati, Discourse.

A Cross-Sectional Study on Inequity and Unmet Needs in Conducting Systematic Reviews (SRMA) and Meta-Analysis Among Medical Students and Junior Doctors.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses allow a transparent, rigorous, and replicable analysis to summarize the results of multiple related studies and are considered top of the evidence-based medicine study hierarchy. The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on the unmet educational needs of students worldwide, notably those from underprivileged backgrounds. This cross-sectional study aimed to ascertain students' and junior doctors' attitudes on their current knowledge, confidence and preparedness of appraising and conducting systematic reviews and meta-analysis internationally. A free online webinar was held in May 2021 by the senior author and a pre-event questionnaire was distributed. Responses collected were used for analysis anonymously to ascertain students' knowledge, experience, and confidence in preparing a systematic review and meta-analysis using a 1-5 Likert scale using IBM SPSS 26.0. Associations were examined using Chi-square and crosstabs analysis. Out of 2004 responses from 104 countries included in the analysis, the majority of delegates were from lower middle-income countries and were not familiar with the PRISMA checklist (59.2% and 81.1% respectively of the total number of participants). The majority had never attended any formal training (83%) and felt their medical institute gave them minimal advice (72.5%) in preparing systematic reviews. Among those who had attended formal training, the proportion was significantly higher in those belonging to high and upper middle-income countries combined (20.3%) than lower and lower-middle-income countries combined (15%). This study highlights gaps that need addressing to enhance the knowledge of medical students and junior doctors performing systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Clear disparities are found in country income and the level of education. Future large-scale studies are needed to understand the rationale of working on online research projects and the opportunities available to medical students and junior doctors that may lead to medical curriculum changes.

Controlling the cataract flow

Bill Harvey learns much from a recent online webinar, hosted by Thea Pharmaceuticals, which looked at measures being adopted to address the backlog of cataract operations since the pandemic