An Assessment of Preference between Online Versus Physical Conferences amongst Nigerian Dentists

Assessment of preference between online and physical conferences

Abstract

Objective: To assess the preferences of conference attendees from the six geopolitical regions of Nigeria regarding virtual and physical conferences.

Methods: This study was conducted among registered attendees of a virtual conference made up of dentists practising in Nigeria. Questionnaires were sent 24 hours after the conference via an online platform web-link. They were self-administered and sought to investigate the benefits/challenges of virtual and physical meetings/conferences, experiences regarding the virtual conference and their preferences.

Results: Sixty-seven of the participants filled out the questionnaire giving a response rate of 73.6% with the predominant age group being 30 to 39 years (44.8%). Sixty-six (97.1%) of them had attended physical conferences while two-thirds of the participants were attending a virtual conference for the first time. Many (46.2%) preferred face-to-face (physical) conferences, though most participants agreed that virtual conferences were more convenient, economical, and safe. Challenging factors for most people included navigating the virtual platform and not being able to visit novel places.

Conclusion: Though conference attendees rated the virtual conference well, the preference for physical conference attendance was higher. Hybrid conferences – a mix of both the physical and virtual – would be most beneficial.