ParkinsonNet switches from live to online training without loss of quality

From 30 participants in the room to 30 participants behind a screen. It’s quite an adjustment, but Marlies and Wilfred managed to do it within a day and a half. “During a previous lockdown, we were forced to switch from live to online, so we already had experience with this transition. This allowed us to pivot quickly. Additionally, the expertise and facilities of the NBC gave us the confidence to focus on the changes in our program,” says Wilfred.

Those changes were indeed necessary. All the usual program components, such as presentations, one-on-one sessions, and breaks had to be restructured. “This is a training for physical and exercise therapists, where physical meetings are of great value. During our training, aspects like patient contact, interaction, and brainstorming with colleagues are crucial. Due to the switch to online, we had to carefully consider how to retain these elements without compromising quality and interaction,” says Marlies. In practice, this meant that Marlies and Wilfred condensed a full-day program into half a day and had to find new ways to facilitate interaction.

Interaction during online training

“Attending a training session behind a screen is obviously very different from being there in person. That’s why we decided to shorten the training a bit. We also had to find alternative ways to ensure interaction and informal learning, as you miss the natural conversations between participants in the same room. By utilizing the available technology from NBC in combination with the Slido program, we were able to foster interaction and maintain enthusiasm,” say Marlies and Wilfred. During the training, they used the MeetUp camera, various screens, and Slido as an interactive tool. This allowed them to see, address, and engage participants in a Q&A. The result was positive, as all participants praised the high quality of the training.

“The online aspect definitely had some advantages for us,” they continue. “We even saw that some components of the live training were better conveyed online, and participants found it easier to give a pitch than in the room. Also, the attendance was higher than at a live training; two participants with COVID-19 were able to join! Our participants all reported gaining as much knowledge as during a live session, which is fantastic to hear!”

Combining online and live

It was great for ParkinsonNet and the participants that the training could proceed online. But can the online aspect completely replace physical training? Marlies and Wilfred don’t think so. “In the future, we prefer to organize hybrid training sessions that make the most of both worlds. Online is a great addition to all possibilities, but it can never replace certain aspects of live training. For now, it was wonderful that the training could take place despite the lockdown, and we certainly look back on a successful day!” say Marlies and Wilfred.