It’s easier than you think to make a conference virtual: learning from our pandemic experience.

Abstract

‘You can’t just suddenly make a conference be online’,1 quoted a recent paper in an esteemed medical journal. Yet, our experience suggests otherwise. Scientific meetings are critical for keeping abreast of the latest evidence, networking, mentoring, and peer support.2 In-person meetings have been prohibited by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), leaving medical groups and associations, such as the Australian Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation Association (ACRA), facing difficult decisions about cancellation, postponement, or alternative delivery modes. Here, we describe how a volunteer committee rapidly ‘pivoted’ to a virtual format. Going forward in a ‘COVID-safe’ world, the modalities of how we care for our patients,3,4 how we conduct research,5 share findings and learn from one another are changing. Many conference organizers will be facing similar decisions and challenges. As such, it is timely to share our experiences and collective learnings on how to deliver conferences in the COVID era.