Virtual Transformation and the Use of Social Media: Cardiac Electrophysiology Education in the Post-COVID-19 Era

• Authors: Janet K Han, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA; Tina Baykaner, Stanford University; Christopher V DeSimone, Mayo Medical School; Susan P Etheridge, Primary Children's Medical Center; Piotr Futyma, University of Rzeszów; Sandeep A Saha, Oregon Heart Center; Martin K Stiles, Waikato Clinical School; Rakesh Gopinathannair, Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute & Research Foundation; Rajesh Kabra, University of Tennessee Health Science Center; Faisal Merchant, Emory University
• Journal Title: Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine
• Volume: Volume 23, Number 11
• Publisher: Springer Nature | 2021-11-01, Pages 70-70
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1007/s11936-021-00948-9
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery
• Keywords: Cardiac electrophysiology; Digital transformation; Fellowship education; Social media; Virtual education

Abstract

Purpose of Review: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the delivery of education for all specialties, including cardiac electrophysiology. This review will provide an overview of the COVID-19 spurred digital transformation of electrophysiology education for practicing clinicians and trainees in electrophysiology and cover the use of social media in these educational efforts. Recent Findings: Major international, national, and local meetings and electrophysiology fellowship–specific educational sessions have transitioned rapidly to virtual and distanced learning, enhanced by social media. This has allowed for participation in educational activities by electrophysiologists on a wider, more global scale. Social media has also allowed rapid dissemination of new advances, techniques, and research findings in real time and to a global audience, but caution must be exercised as pitfalls also exist. Summary: The digital and social media transformation of cardiac electrophysiology education has arrived and revolutionized the way education is delivered and consumed. Continued hybrid in-person and virtual modalities will provide electrophysiologists the flexibility to choose the best option to suit their individual needs and preferences for continuing education.