Global health online learning continues

These sessions provided a great space for clinicians from the Pacific region to gain a greater sense of connection and camaraderie

Over the last two years the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) Global Health team has been working closely with partner countries and program specialists to provide online learning opportunities and complex case support to clinicians across the Pacific. These sessions provided a great space for clinicians from around the Pacific region to come together and feel an increased connection and camaraderie within their profession while we were separated by border closures. A series of 13 online education webinars were presented in 2021 covering a diverse range of specialties and topics including: Cardiothoracic Surgery, ENT Surgery, Urology, and Paediatric Surgery. A total of 402 Pacific clinicians joined these webinars with each receiving a participation certificate from RACS. This makes them eligible to claim one CPD point consistent with the Pacific Island Surgical Association CPD framework. The introduction of course participation certificates has significantly increased attendance rates over the year. Clinicians have engaged in robust and in-depth conversations with Australian, Aotearoa New Zealand and Pacific Island presenters and clinical experts. “Excellent and useful sessions especially for us and new registrars. I am currently trying to train the junior and young surgeons in Samoa locally. We are not able to travel for post grad in Fiji or anywhere, so these are a great help for all of us. There are about four new registrars joining the unit and these sessions will be a must for us in Samoa.” (Online education webinar participant)

of some clinicians to join sessions, particularly those from smaller island countries. RACS has been disseminating webinar recordings and copies of the presentations to the clinicians who register, which can be watched later when the internet connections are stronger. Confidence in Pacific clinicians to present as part of the online education webinar series has also increased. Seven out of the 10 online sessions included presentations from one or more Pacific clinicians. This has offered increased opportunities for colleagues to learn from each other and discuss issues that arise in their similarly resourced settings.

Image: Dr Trevor Cullwick and Dr John Batten undertaking clinical work and training face to face in Vanuatu prior to mentoring and training pivoting to online learning formats due to COVID 19.

“I appreciated discussing the trends and challenges we face in the ‘blue continent’ that the PI presenters showcased and more so the support that is available from our regional experts.” (Online education webinar participant)

Online evaluation surveys were conducted by RACS. The survey responses highlight the importance of Pacific clinicians continuing to come together as a group, as key to learning currency. The evaluations also provided valuable insights from Pacific clinicians on priorities for future online education. These include paediatric gastrointestinal surgery, reconstructive breast surgery, and ear nose and throat imaging and diagnosis training. RACS will continue to offer online education opportunities though the Pacific Island Program in 2022.