Online, face to face and hybrid meetings. What is the new normal in the COVID-19 era? A global collaborative survey by iTRUE group and UroSoMe working group

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.