How to Adapt Rheumatology Learning to a Virtual World

Technical Considerations

The computer froze. The formatting changed. The sound isn’t working. Common technological glitches interfere with learning by creating frustration.² Several basic considerations can help keep these obstructions to a minimum.

First, strongly consider using the same software platform for multiple experiences: If telehealth is conducted over RingCentral, don’t try to use Microsoft Teams for journal club and Zoom for didactics. Sticking with familiar interfaces will help avoid the distraction of adjusting to each different platform.

Optimize media, especially videos and graphics, to the smallest size needed to retain the necessary details. At the same time, advise participants about appropriate computer and internet bandwidth requirements, particularly if using heavy applications, such as video or interactive exercises.

For online presentations, ensure presenters are appropriately front-lit and framed in the camera. Presenters’ backdrops should be professional and free from distracting elements. Whenever possible, have presenters connect well ahead of the session to make sure video and audio equipment is functioning properly—and have a backup plan if it isn’t.

Important Takeaways

No matter how basic or advanced your virtual learning experience is currently, plenty of options exist for improvement when incorporating eLearning into your education portfolio. First, keep your audience in mind. Adult learners lead busy lives full of distractions. Creating a virtual experience that is flexible yet engaging is key to success. Second, be prepared for the unexpected. Think prospectively and have a backup plan for common road bumps. Third, build on what you have and what you can find. An eLearning experience does not always need to be generated completely from scratch. Last, maintain the human connection. Use asynchronous learning where appropriate, but don’t forget about real-time experiences and in-person learning.

The pandemic has propelled us into the virtual world, but by strategically engaging the strengths and shortcomings of eLearning, we can bring the computer closer to the bedside than Sir William Osler could have imagined.

Colin Cox, BSc, is a third-year medical student at Kansas City University, Joplin, Mo.

Prateek C. Gandiga, MD, FACP, is an assistant professor in the Division of Rheumatology at Emory University, Atlanta.

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