Virtual Versus In-person Grand Rounds in Orthopaedics: A Framework for Implementation and Participant-reported Outcomes

INTRODUCTION: Grand rounds have been weekly gatherings at academic orthopaedic surgery programs across the country for decades. During the 50th year of grand rounds at our institution, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the transformation of this in-person forum into a virtual setting. The purpose of this study was to detail this initiative and to report survey data providing participant-reported perceptions and satisfaction of virtual versus in-person grand rounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Once in-person meetings were discontinued, virtual grand rounds commenced using the Zoom video application. At the conclusion of the 2020 to 2021 academic year, a 30-item online survey was sent to all residents, faculty, and visiting faculty to assess their perspective and satisfaction. A five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5, with 5 being extremely effective, was used. A 21-item follow-up survey was sent to all speakers as well. RESULTS: Thirty-six virtual grand rounds were successfully hosted. The response rate for the survey was excellent—80 of 86 (93.0%) surveys returned completed. Respondents found that virtual grand rounds were more convenient to attend, were more convenient to obtain Continuing Medical Education, and were more satisfied with virtual grand rounds. Respondents reported that in-person grand rounds were more effective for stimulating social collegiality and networking. Speakers found that virtual grand rounds were more effective for uploading the presentation and overall convenience, whereas they were less effective at retaining audience attention and receiving audience feedback. Improved faculty attendance after the switch to virtual grand rounds was also noted. CONCLUSION: This study found that respondents across all groups appreciated the convenience of attending and obtaining Continuing Medical Educations at virtual grand rounds while also noting the merits of in-person grand rounds for promoting peer interaction, camaraderie, and departmental identity. All respondents strongly recommended continuation of this program in a hybrid format. Virtual orthopaedic grand rounds are viable, readily implemented and demonstrate improved participant satisfaction.