ABSTRACT
Introduction/Aim: Since 1992, the Lung Health Promotion Centre has delivered a broad syllabus of respiratory and sleep medicine topics, respiratory function tests and smoking cessation for multidisciplinary health care professionals (MDHCP) at the Alfred and regional sites. When the COVID-19 pandemic came to Australia in early 2020, there were prolonged and severe restrictions imposed in Melbourne, which greatly affected people's ability to travel and to have gatherings. As a result, the Centre had to rapidly adapt the educational model to be able to continue to offer its courses. As attendees could no longer attend in person, the courses were provided through live webinars, pre-recorded webinars and self-directed learning via an online learning portal. Aim(s): To compare the participation in and satisfaction with the Centre's courses before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method(s): 2019 Course Data is compared with data from courses in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Pre and post questionnaires were provided to participants at each course. Result(s): 2019 2020 2021 2022 Course Streams (Course Presentations) 12 (23) 6 (17) 4 (10) 7 (17) Sessions - On Site 23 4 - 1 Sessions - Live Webinar - 9 6 10 Sessions - Self Directed - 2 4 6 Attendance (Days) 228 204 136 203 On Site 228 84 - 26 Live Webinar (1st Webinar, Assist Required). - 119 (87%, 20%) 134 (75%, 23%) 171 (71%, 12%) Self-Directed - 1 2 6 Domicile - Victoria, Interstate 86% 14% 83% 17% 63% 37% 77% 23% Satisfaction (Rating out of 5) 4.8 4.1 4.5 4.4 Conclusion(s): Lung Health Promotion centre was agile during the pandemic and able to provide ongoing well evaluated programmes responsive to the change in participant needs and educational opportunities. Pivot of presentations to live webinars encouraged attendance of more rural and interstate participants. Educational Support: Nil.