Self evaluation of SARS-COV2 transmission risk during the Portuguese Nacional Otorinolaringology - Head and Neck Surgery Congress

Abstract

The SARS-COV2 pandemic caused severe restrictions on the organization of scientific meetings. This work is a descriptive cross-sectional study based on questionnaires carried out after the presential National Congress, in order to allow drawing conclusions that may be useful for future organizations of ours or of other medical societies.

Of the 414 present, 100 colleagues responded. It seems to be reasonable to hold conferences in this typology, either from a subjective point of view (96% consider the format acceptable for future meetings) or apparently from an objective epidemiological point of view (97% had no respiratory symptoms in the 7 days following the meeting ).

Virtual conferences and meetings have an undeniable benefit in terms of accessibility but most papers consider the global educational value to be superior and face-to-face conferences. Although we are convinced of the potential of virtual conferences, we believe that the data presented provide valuable information for organizing future conferences.