Why Virtual Grand Rounds May Be Here to Stay

by Linda Kossoff •

An Ongoing Evolution 

Educators agree that the virtual option deserves a permanent—albeit limited—place in the time-honored practice of grand rounds. Dr. Malekzadeh foresees a shift from the current model of multiple small, individual institution grand rounds to “larger, combined virtual grand rounds series in which resources are pooled among several institutions.” Dr. Kutz said that although UT Southwestern will return to the live presentation grand rounds format, the university will record the lectures and retain the ability to allow lecturers to present remotely. 

“If we have a guest speaker, they can Zoom in and present remotely so they don’t have to fly out here and there won’t be a large economic burden on the department for travel and reimbursement expenses,” said Dr. Diaz. “The grand rounds could be almost as good with the speaker virtually—almost as good.”

Linda Kossoff is a freelance medical writer based in Woodland Hills, Calif.