As we continue to adapt to these new times, so too does the field of medical education. Ten months into the pandemic, the Bridge Medical Communications team is accustomed to being on the educator side of the table, but last week it was our turn to learn at the Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions 45th annual conference.
The event, based in the U.S., attracts continuing education professionals from around the globe to discuss trends, best practices and issues impacting the healthcare landscape.
We have attended the Alliance in person for the last 15 years and needless to say this was the first time it’s been a virtual experience. As the organizers pointed out, “Just because we can’t gather in-person doesn’t mean we can’t continue to grow as a community!” And, they’re right. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt learning at all levels, virtual conferences and events play an essential role in the dissemination of important medical information.
The Virtual Alliance 2021 Annual Conference was the perfect mix of insights and inspiration—it’s invigorating to share best practices and exchange ideas with colleagues who are facing similar challenges and exploring fresh opportunities to provide best-in-class continuing education on behalf of our clients.
One thing is for sure, embracing new technologies and adapting to new ways of teaching and learning is vital if we’re to successfully navigate this every-changing environment, both as individuals and as a business.
With that in mind, it was timely and appropriate that the Alliance invited world-renowned resilience expert (and fellow Canadian) Michael Ungar, PhD to deliver the opening keynote: “Nurturing Resilience: Finding the Personal Qualities and Social Supports We Need to Thrive (Even during a pandemic).”
It was an invaluable presentation that truly spoke to the times we are in. He quickly dispelled the notion of resilience being simply personal ruggedness in the face of adversity. Instead, Ungar drew on research and examples from his new book, Change Your World: The Science of Resilience and the True Path to Success, to show how when we work together we create opportunities for ourselves and others to find the resources needed to navigate stressors (like a pandemic) to avoid burnout and cope successfully in our personal and professional lives.
“Resilience is in the context of exposure to significant adversity, resilience is our capacity, individually and in groups, to navigate our way to the psychological, social, cultural and physical resources that sustain our wellbeing, and… our capacity individually and in groups to negotiate for these resources to be provided in meaningful ways.”
He talked about the 12 factors that make us more resilient as adults, the important role that the workplace has as a source of resilience and practical tools for building resilience.
Overall, it was an inspiring virtual event and a thought-provoking presentation: Given what we do here at Bridge, it was also motivating to gain a deeper understanding into the value of continuing education as a resource for resilience.
Click here to find out more about how Bridge Medical Communications can help create a virtual education program that’s right for your organization and audience.
