Aims: This study aims to evaluate the success of the cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging Academy Berlin's transition from in-person to online CMR imaging training during the global pandemic 2020 and to gather recommendations for future courses.
Methods and results: We conducted an online survey targeting CMR course participants from both the pre-pandemic, in-person era and the pandemic, online era of the CMR Academy Berlin. The survey primarily used Likert-type questions to assess participants' experiences and preferences.A total of 61 out of 158 invited participants (38.61%) completed the survey, with 31 (50.82%) being in-person alumni and 30 (49.18%) being online alumni. Both in-person [83.87% (26/31)] and online [83.33% (25/30)] participants rated the course as either 'very good' or 'excellent', and both groups found the course either 'extremely helpful' or 'very helpful'. However, a higher percentage of in-person participants [96.77% (30/31)] felt comfortable asking questions compared to online participants [83.33% (25/30); P = 0.025]. The majority in both groups preferred a written exam [total: 75.41% (46/61); in-person alumni: 77.42% (24/31); online alumni 73.33% (22/30)]. In terms of course format preferences, in-person courses were preferred by both in-person alumni [38.71% (12/31)] and online alumni [60% (18/30)], almost as much as a hybrid format combining in-person and online elements [in-person alumni: 41.94% (13/31), online alumni: 30% (9/30)].
Conclusion: The transition from in-person to online CMR training at the CMR Academy Berlin was successful in maintaining overall satisfaction. However, there is room for improvement in terms of increased interaction, particularly for online participants. Future CMR- and potentially also cardiac computer tomography-courses should consider adopting a hybrid format to accommodate participants' preferences and enhance their learning experience, especially to gain level II competency, whereas level I virtual only might be sufficient.
Keywords: CMR; cardiology; cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging; certification; online education; quality; radiology; remote education.
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly changed the landscape of medical education, necessitating the shift from traditional in-person learning to online platforms. This study evaluated how well an online training programme for cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) was received by doctors who attended the CMR Academy in Berlin, Germany. We asked both in-person and online course participants about their experiences and preferences for future courses. A total of 61 out of 158 participants (38.61%) responded to our survey. Both in-person and online attendees rated the course as either ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’. However, more in-person attendees felt comfortable asking questions during the course compared to online attendees. In terms of future courses, most of the participants preferred a blend of in-person and online learning, known as a hybrid format. They felt that online learning had some benefits, such as increased access, especially during a pandemic. However, they missed the interaction and engagement that in-person learning provides. They also preferred written exams to be conducted online. This study emphasizes the need for future CMR training to be more flexible and include both online and in-person elements. This would not only accommodate the participants’ preferences but also enhance their learning experience. It also stresses the importance of interaction during the learning process, which needs to be improved in online platforms. The findings can potentially inform the development of educational frameworks in other areas of medical imaging, like cardiac computer tomography (CT).
© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.