Online Training or Face-to-Face Training from the Perspective of Ear, Nose, and Throat and Head and Neck Surgeons?

PurposeTo determine the preferences of Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) and Head-Neck Surgery (HNS) specialists and residents undergoing training for online or face-to-face training and the factors affecting the preference.MethodsAn 16-item questionnaire was created using Google Forms and was administered to residents undergoing training in ENT departments and to specialists working in the same field. The questionnaires were distributed online and requested to be completed between August and October 2020. The study participants were analyzed in two groups according to the preference for online training or face-to-face training.ResultsEvaluation was made of a total of 173 participants, as 68 (39.3%) in online training, and 105 (60.7%) in face-to-face training. Online training comprised 47 (69.1%) females and 21 (30.9%) males with a mean age of 38.9 ± 8years and face-to-face training comprised 68 (64.8%) females and 37 (35.2%) males with a mean age of 37.9 ± 7.5years (gender: P = 0.55, age: P = 0.10). Of the total sample, 39 (22.5%) subjects were single and 134 (77.5%) were married. Face-to-face training was preferred by 61.2% of the married respondents and by 59% of those who were single. While 43.4% stated that visuals and documents were similar in both forms of training, those who stated that documentation was better in face-to-face training constituted 90.2% of the group that preferred face-to-face training (P = 0.0001). Of the total participants, 65.4% stated that concentration was easier in face-to-face training (P = 0.0001). When the groups were compared according to areas of interest, more of those involved in rhinology and head-neck surgery were in face-to-face training, and those with an interest in otology were seen to be in online training (P = 0.002). A wish to continue online training after the pandemic was expressed by 80.9% of the whole sample, and 68.6% wished to continue with face-to-face training (P = 0.0001). Hybrid meetings were determined to have been selected by 86.1% (P = 0.0001).ConclusionOnline web seminars have an important role as a teaching and learning tool. There is a need for further research to evaluate how these clinically focused seminars can be presented at high quality and how they can provide benefit in training.