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Objective To understand the preference and role of ‘hybrid’ urological meetings compared to face-to-face and online meetings during and after COVID-19 pandemic. The secondary outcome was finding out the most preferable webinar setting. Methods An online global survey was done between June 06 and July 05, 2020, using SurveyMonkey. The target participants were urology healthcare providers. The survey was disseminated via mailing lists and the Twitter platform. Results A total of 526 urology providers from 56 countries responded to the survey and it was completed by 73.3%. Participants’ overall experience was better in a face-to-face meeting, followed by a hybrid and webinar only meeting. While opportunities for networking was identified as high in face-to-face meeting, online webinars were more cost effective, and learning opportunity and reach of audience was higher for hybrid meetings. For online webinar format, Zoom platform was used by 73% and majority (69%) saw it on their laptop or desktop. The preference was for a 1-hour webinar in the evenings with 3-5 speakers. Urology residents rated face-to-face meetings to have better cost-effectiveness when compared to consultants. Post COVID-19, more than half of all respondents would prefer hybrid meetings compared to the other formats. Conclusion While there will be a place for face-to-face meetings, COVID-19 situation has led to a preference towards hybrid meetings which is ideal for a global reach in the future. It is plausible that most urological associations will move towards a hybrid model for their meetings.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic there was a significant increase in online webinars, which were universally available and advertised via Social Media, eliminating geographic restrictions thereby achieving a broader audience.Objective: The primary outcome of our survey was to see how virtual meetings would fare vis a vis face-to-face meeting, and if there would any future role of a “hybrid" meeting concept. The secondary outcome was to find out the best webinar/ virtual meeting settings.Design, setting, and participants: An online global survey was done between 6th June, 2020 to 5th July 2020 via https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K26B5RQ. Using Delphi method, the survey questions were designed regarding webinars, face to face meetings and hybrid meetings, and circulated.Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Categorical data were presented with counts and percentages, and comparison was done using Chi-square test and answers to Likert-like scale questions using the Mann-Whitney U test.Results and limitations: A total of N=526 urologists from 56 countries responded to the survey, of which N=386(73.38%) completed the questionnaire. The overall experience of participants was better in the face-to-face meeting followed by a hybrid meeting and webinar. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the preference for the type of conference was that of a hybrid meeting N=199(51%) than the webinar N=95(25%), using Zoom platform N= 283(73%) on laptop/desktop as the device of choice N=267(69%) and believed that a 1-hour webinar N=196(51%) was ideal at evening time N=277(72%) with 3-5 speakers N=242(62%) for each meeting. Although urology residents rated face-to-face meetings to have better cost-effectiveness when compared to consultants.Conclusions: The current pandemic has shown a trend towards online webinars; however, they are not a substitution to face-to-face meetings. Our survey shows an increased preference towards a hybrid meeting in the coming future which would be ideal for global participation, adding value to money and time.