'Choose Psychiatry' goes virtual: experiences and learning from the online 2020 National Psychiatry Summer School

Aims and method COVID-19 has forced many educational events to go 'virtual'. We report on the first online student-run National Psychiatry Summer School (NPSS). Evaluation of the online format and content was undertaken through survey feedback from almost 400 attendees. Results The NPSS positively affected attendees' perceptions of psychiatry as a career choice. The virtual format was positively received, with benefits including breaking down traditional barriers of geography and cost. Clinical implications Post-COVID-19, a hybrid future of mixed virtual and face-to-face events is likely. Our work shows the viability of this and unique gains it might offer, and offers experiential learning on challenges encountered for others who wish to trial further virtual conferences.

Automated summary

The study reports on the first online student-run National Psychiatry Summer School, with survey feedback from nearly 400 attendees showing positive impact on career choice in psychiatry, and a favorable reception of the virtual format.