A new approach to participant engagement

Over the past several years, continued requests for CPD conferences related to sinonasal disease have been made. While there have been many courses focused on didactic lectures and opportunities for participants to engage in cadaveric dissections at Mount Sinai’s Surgical Skills Centre, Drs. Yvonne Chan, John Lee and Allan Vescan decided to take a slightly different approach with the 2015 Rhinology Update.

The conference committee arranged to have a live video feed of a real-time surgery demonstration from the Mount Sinai operating room, projected into the hospital’s 18th floor auditorium. Participants in the auditorium were able to engage with the surgeons in the operating room through a live two-way communication. Experts in the operating room asked questions and pointed things out to those viewing the procedure. Throughout the demonstration participants were also able to vote on various aspects of the surgical procedure as it evolved.

“It really was a spectacular event and from all of my years in continuing education, I think it was the best courses we have ever run.”

Ian J. Witterick, MD, MSc, FRCSC
Professor and Chair, Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

In addition to the live surgery demonstration, there was a cadaveric dissection of sinonasal anatomy and endoscopic sinus surgical maneuvers performed by ‘the father of modern sinus surgery’ Professor Heinz Stammberger. Professor Stammberger is widely recognized as the originator of modern endoscopic sinus surgery which is the standard of care around the world. He is renowned for his dissections and knowledge of anatomy. It took more than three years to secure his participation in Toronto and it was worth the wait. Short sessions with panel discussions and case reviews rounded out the two day program.

This unique approach was well received by participants. Many commented on how the information learned would change their practice, from how they would review CT scans, how they would use different instrumentation and how they would approach sinus surgery in general. Many would recommend the conference to a colleague.