In this edition of the FacultyFocus, I want to concentrate on AO Spine’s educational offerings in the days of COVID-19 and how the new circumstances are changing our educational paradigm.
But first, as I only recently became chairperson of the AO Spine Education Commission (AO SEC), I express my gratitude to past AO SEC chairperson Bryan Ashman. We all stand on the shoulders of giants, and it is his shoulders that we stand upon as we shape the future of AO Spine education in the coming years.
The new world emerging with the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic is changing all social interactions, including education across the globe. AO Spine is no exception. While we cannot change this, it is imperative that we adapt and even be able to use the situation for our purposes. Here is a list of what has been done and what is being planned:
The Global Spine Diploma Training Program will not be affected at all, as it was developed and designed to be entirely online. The one significant change will be in the diploma exam pathway, in which all activities, including the face-to-face, on-site oral examination, had to be converted to an online format. With the introduction of online examination technology, this conversion is now complete.
AO Spine courses at the AO Davos Courses 2020 had to be changed. Although the first intention was to deliver these in a hybrid format consisting of online learning followed by a face-to-face, on-site component in Davos; this second part also had to be converted to an online live event. I have to admit that this adjustment renders practical hands-on skills training virtually impossible. But at least for this year, this shortcoming will be compensated by much more prolonged exposure between faculty and participants throughout the asynchronous part and live, interactive case discussions and surgery demonstrations at the synchronous event.
I tend to think that the present situation has even helped us in expediting a transition to quality online education. Based on the technological achievements we have achieved in the past six months AO Spine education will deliver online learning much more effectively and to much larger audiences in the coming years.
I will end this FacultyFocus with a request. As online education is here to stay, we need to realize that it will necessitate a new faculty pool armed with different tools for training others. The AO Education Institute has developed and will shortly be launching a new faculty training program for all of us to improve our teaching skills. Please be aware of this program and try to use every possible opportunity to be a part of it.
