After much debate due to the implications of COVID-19, AO CMF's plan for the AO Davos Courses 2020 was ambitious, unique, and on paper looked almost unachievable. But looking back two months later, the December 3–6 event clearly proved to be an incredible accomplishment and success.
Overall course chairs Lynne Fryer and Ian Sharp, along with the organizing committee, delivered a brand-new online course concept and topic to surgeons across the world. By the time the course went live, all 400 seats had been sold and there was a long waiting list which topped that of any other event planned in the history of AO CMF events.
The AO CMF Online Masters Course—Mastering the Nose: Advanced Midface Concepts consisted of 36 hours of live broadcasting and brought together 97 faculty for four days of intense, interactive teaching. The faculty committed their time and, in parallel, mastered a new online platform, attended training sessions, and rehearsals, and discovered that being part of this project was more than just turning up on the day to run a small group discussion.
The program consisted of four modules over 4 days.
Module 1: Aesthetic and functional surgery including obstructive sleep apnea
Module 2: Congenital deformities including cleft: surgical planning and secondary deformity
Module 3: Traumatic injuries of the nose and central midface
Module 4: Ablation and reconstruction: treatment of ablative deformities in hard and soft tissue
Each 4.5-hour module was repeated the same day so that participants in different time zones could participate. Keynote sessions, small group discussions, and panel discussions all ran smoothly, and participants had the chance to ask questions and discuss cases with faculty. Faculty were extremely proactive, submitting over 80 cases to be considered for the course. AO CMF thanks everyone who took the time to submit cases for discussion.
“A really excellent 4 days. Loved the panel discussions and the breakout sessions were just brilliant. I think the organization of the event was perfect and I cannot wait until the next course.”
AO CMF participant at the AO Davos Courses 2020
The course turned out to be a truly global event for AO CMF with participation from 50 countries. In addition to craniomaxillofacial (CMF) surgeons, participants included plastic and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) as well as surgeons from other specialties. Participants were clearly pleased with faculty members’ performance, rating the faculty 4.05 overall in post-event evaluation. Faculty enjoyed networking and being close with their peers and colleagues.
Full credit must be given to organizing committee members for their hard work: Lynne Fryer, Ian Sharp, Amir Elbarbary, Nils Claudius Gellrich, Sabine Girod, Majeed Rana, Patricia Stoor and Rüdiger Zimmerer.
AO CMF also thanks regional course chairs: José Barrera, Rafael Cypriano, Rui Fernandes, Marcelo Figari, Michael Grant, Nicolas Homsi, Damir Matic, Sat Parmar and Travis Tollefson.
The AO Davos Courses 2020 hosted a new online platform that welcomed nearly 20,000 visitors, who were able to access AO learning materials, information, AO TV, and a realm of opportunities including a brand-new virtual exhibitor area. Over 7,000 participants attended the AO Davos Courses 2020 across the clinical divisions—setting a new record.
The year 2020 will be a difficult act to follow since the success was all too evident. AO CMF is confident that conditions will return to hosting practical skills courses in Davos. Some components of the online AO Davos Courses 2020 are here to stay enabling surgeons to access from all around the world. AO CMF remains flexible and will soon be able to share with you the 2021 program. The focus will be on revitalization of faculty, offering high quality education, remaining global and interactive, and to providing networking opportunities to expand AO CMF’s reach to as many interested surgeons as possible.
