The role of precautions: Organising a medical conference during COVID-19 pandemic-Lessons from IADVL MIDDERMACON 2021.
conference protocol
offline conference
pandemic
safe precautionary measures
vaccine
Journal
JEADV clinical practice
ISSN: 2768-6566
Titre abrégé: JEADV Clin Pract
Pays: England
ID NLM: 9918697386206676
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Sep 2022
Sep 2022
Historique:
received:
07
12
2021
revised:
04
05
2022
accepted:
23
05
2022
medline:
1
9
2022
pubmed:
1
9
2022
entrez:
13
10
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The use of virtual platforms for clinical meetings has become the default approach during this pandemic era. Organising an offline conference during a pandemic is a challenge and is possible if the participating crowd is vaccinated and is willing to follow appropriate pandemic protocols. To determine the feasibility of conducting a conference among mostly vaccinated delegates using standard precautionary protocols. This study was conducted at IADVL MIDDERMACON 2021, held in Mangalore, India, in late October 2021, during the phase of decline of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2. The study population included all conference attendees, including support staff. Details were collected about their vaccination status, comorbidities, and mode of travel to the conference venue. An reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test was done randomly among the attendees for COVID-19 infection. A post-conference assessment and RT-PCR tests were done at the end of 2 weeks to assess the occurrence of infections among study participants. A total of 1744 people were present at the venue, of which 576 (33.03%) participated in the study. The percentage of fully vaccinated was 88.88% (512/576). The majority had taken the vaccine Covishield (manufactured by AstraZeneca), that is, 85.06% (490/576). Infection post the conference was reported in 0.195% (1/576). Holding large gatherings like medical conferences pose a challenge during a pandemic. However, to increase the benefits of the conference, it is advisable to hold them offline with vaccinated delegates, follow the advice of the conference organising committee, and practise safe precautionary measures.
Sections du résumé
Background
UNASSIGNED
The use of virtual platforms for clinical meetings has become the default approach during this pandemic era. Organising an offline conference during a pandemic is a challenge and is possible if the participating crowd is vaccinated and is willing to follow appropriate pandemic protocols.
Objective
UNASSIGNED
To determine the feasibility of conducting a conference among mostly vaccinated delegates using standard precautionary protocols.
Methods
UNASSIGNED
This study was conducted at IADVL MIDDERMACON 2021, held in Mangalore, India, in late October 2021, during the phase of decline of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2. The study population included all conference attendees, including support staff. Details were collected about their vaccination status, comorbidities, and mode of travel to the conference venue. An reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test was done randomly among the attendees for COVID-19 infection. A post-conference assessment and RT-PCR tests were done at the end of 2 weeks to assess the occurrence of infections among study participants.
Results
UNASSIGNED
A total of 1744 people were present at the venue, of which 576 (33.03%) participated in the study. The percentage of fully vaccinated was 88.88% (512/576). The majority had taken the vaccine Covishield (manufactured by AstraZeneca), that is, 85.06% (490/576). Infection post the conference was reported in 0.195% (1/576).
Conclusions
UNASSIGNED
Holding large gatherings like medical conferences pose a challenge during a pandemic. However, to increase the benefits of the conference, it is advisable to hold them offline with vaccinated delegates, follow the advice of the conference organising committee, and practise safe precautionary measures.
Identifiants
pubmed: 37830035
doi: 10.1002/jvc2.32
pii: JVC232
pmc: PMC9349629
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
264-267Informations de copyright
© 2022 The Authors. JEADV Clinical Practice published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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