b'EDUCATION GUIDE|president, strategic communications, withing planners can provide to attendees at thisofferings and have been since before the pan-the American Physical Therapy Associationtime is a more budget-friendly experience,demic. In 2019, we offered a virtual one-day (APTA), an individual membership organi- said Celess Tyrell, director of online learningconference on diabetes, and it was a very zation that represents more than 100,000with Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc. (AJJ), a nationalwell attended event with overwhelming good physical therapists (PTs), PT assistants, andfirm that manages the marketing, communi- reviews, Norman said. That allowed us the students of physical therapy.cations, and publishing for healthcare orga- information we needed to be sure that offering The simple answer is that all partici- nizations including the American Academythese virtual or on-demand events would be pants need to be honest that virtual is dif- of Ambulatory Care Nursing, the Americanbeneficial, particularly during the pandemic.ferent, said Bellamy. Virtual meetingsNursing Informatics Association, and theFrom a presentation standpoint, Michele may never match the feeling of communityAmerican Nephrology Nurses Association.Boyd, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, director of edu-that one gets from an in-person event, but,We have adjusted our registration modelcation services with AJJ, said that the use over time, I expect the gap between thoseto focus on CME packages, and we focusedof polling questions and chat functions two extremes will close as virtual meetingson the flexibility of attending all live ses- during virtual sessions, as well as an exhib-improve and peoples expectations evolve. sions, even if the attendee purchased aitor directory for identification purposes The difference that Bellamy alludes to issmaller contact hour package, she said.has helped engagement online. Other strat-experienced on both a small and large scaleLearners can attend every live session ifegies have included awarding registrantsfrom the rather subtle version of listen- they want, but then their limit is simply thewith digital badges for participation, ven-ing to a live lecture via zoom as opposed tonumber of CME evaluations they can com- dor prizes, and allowing access to presenters viewing someone speaking in a classroom,plete. We believe this flexibility has engagedprior to the day of sessions have also proven meeting room, or on a stage (when in largersome interest. successful, Boyd said. rooms a projection screen is often neces- Similarly, APTA is currently promotingCost, convenience, flexibility, and sary anyway) to more impactful distinctionsits Virtual NEXT program, a CME courseengagement are all benefits [that we have such as not being able to participate in abundle that delivers continuing education atseen]. Boyd added. The perception that hands-on collaborative workshop or to trulyreduced rates to support the physical ther- presenters are speaking directly to you, and be together socially at an informal receptionapy community during the coronavirusnetworking opportunities are available via or a more formal setting such as an exhibit(COVID-19) pandemic. Through this pro- topic-focused chat lobbies.hall or dinner meeting.gram, APTA members gain access to moreDespite the well-documented advan-At the core of helping attendees makethan 20 courses with related CMEs, plustages, Maria Aaron, MD, secretary of the the transition to virtual comfortably as wellrecorded sessions and other live onlineAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology as effectively is focusing on how events areevents at a lower rate than non-members.(AAO) annual meeting, is carefully consid-engaging overall, says Bellamy and othersTopics of discussion include pain manage- ering the long-term potential that virtual who recently spoke with Elite CE. ment, tele-health, disaster management,fatigue can become an increasing issue as Ultimately, a 45-minute lecture in-per- diversity education, and leadership. All vir- providers become more reliant on online son is not meaningfully different fromtual sessions are also available on demand.meetings for various reasons, including the the same lecture on a computer screen,Anne Norman, DNP, APRN, FNP, FAANP,pandemic. Bellamy said. No matter the format, educa- vice president, education and accredita- As such, she and her colleagues are aim-tion should be engaging, and, if were beingtion, with the American Association ofing to ensure that the AAOs 2020 Virtual honest there are in-person lectures whereNurse Practitioners (AANP), and Janice L.conference, which is scheduled for Nov. people [in the audience] are multitaskingBays, CTSM, CME, CMP-HC, president13-15, programming schedule remains via-on their phones [because they are not fullyof Meeting Management Associates Inc., able enough to outweigh any lethargy that engaged]. Our attention is usually divided.group that also assists healthcare organi- could set in. This is being done through a Engaging content convinces people to nar- zations in conducting meetings and con- combination of larger and smaller break-row their focus. ferences, including the AANP, say they areout events as well as chat and polling tools.For Bellamy and others, generating engage- currently providing CMEs at a much reducedWe are trying to make the program as ment has started with cost reductions for theirrate over a four-month period to allow ampleinteractive as possible, Aaron said. Having virtual events, aided in part due to reducedtime for nurse practitioners (NPs) to take theattendees ask questions through the chat overhead, and packaging education coursescourses they need. The marketing otherwisefunction creates additional interactivity, and and CME offerings in various flexible ways. reflects the presentation for a live event andit gives speakers more feedback to address. suggests that attendees take courses at theirThe AAO is also encouraging providers to WEIGHING BENEFITS VS.leisure to allow for access to content over anot anticipate being in front of their com-DISADVANTAGES period of time.puter or other device for hours on end and One of the more notable benefits that meet- Single-day events are also among AANPsuggesting that they consider waiting to 6 EDUCATION GUIDE|2020| www.elitecme.com'