International society of physical and rehabilitation medicine webinar series - An effective global educational initiative during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM) has recently started an educational initiative named “ISPRM Webinar Series,” broadcasting a series of live interactive online webinar sessions over 3 months. The objectives of the webinars were to connect rehabilitation professionals worldwide, share experiences/expertise, and create teaching-learning activities during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The pandemic has been adversely affecting the lives of people including being a big challenge to the medical community. The specialty of physical and rehabilitation medicine is facing challenges and simultaneously having unique opportunities to contribute to the care of COVID-19 survivors. This article describes the purpose, educational structure, and overall experiences during the ISPRM Webinar Series. Distinguished speakers/panelists from around the world delivered their message, expertise, and experience in several topics with a special emphasis on the COVID-19 pandemic. A historical moment for ISPRM was when the Honorable Director General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, sent a special message to ISPRM and its global audience. The audience for the various webinars has included colleagues from 101 countries and territories, with an average number of 365 participants per live session and a high prevalence of youth. In conclusion, based on the feedback of the participants, the ISPRM Webinar Series proved to be a timely and effective educational initiative with wide-spread global reach during the COVID-19 pandemic.