Spring 2021 (Volume 31, Number 1)
Tips for Effective Virtual Meetings:
Crowd-sourced Advice from Around the CRA
Compiled by Cory Baillie, MD, FRCPC
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COVID-19 has changed many aspects of our professional lives and the way that we meet with our
colleagues and other professionals is no exception. Virtual meetings can be an effective tool but
require extra effort from all participants and especially the meeting Chair to optimize the time spent
together.
Here are a few dos and don’ts from CRA members based on their experiences with virtual meetings.
Do make sure if you are the chair that you log in earlier than
everyone else so that everyone can access the meeting. To ensure
you start on time, ask all participants to sign in a few minutes
before the meeting starts to avoid any technical difficulties,
especially if you’re using an unfamiliar platform.
– Dr. David Robinson, Winnipeg, and Dr. Ahmad Zbib, Toronto
Do optimize your set up with a quiet space free of distractions;
use earbuds with a built-in microphone; place your laptop on
top of books etc. so that your camera is at eye level; maximize
lighting behind your camera and not behind you, and when
speaking try to look at your webcam and not other people’s
images.
– Dr. Cory Baillie, Winnipeg
Do consider doing an “around the room” at the start of the
meeting. People are more likely to speak and be engaged if they
have the opportunity to share at least once at the start.
– Dr. Joanne Homik, Edmonton
Do keep everyone engaged if you are the chair. If you notice
someone is not very active, consider private messaging them in
the chat to make sure they are ok and ask if they have any ideas
they want to share. Some people are naturally more quiet, and
online meetings can be an overwhelming space to express your
opinion.
– Dr. Shahin Jamal, Vancouver
Do use the chat function freely to ask questions either as a
speaker to assess agreement and comprehension, or as a listener
to prompt discussion.
– Dr. Evelyn Sutton, Halifax, and Dr. Janet Pope, London
Don't try and make your virtual meetings too
large. No one feels valued and most participants
end up multitasking and don’t focus on the meeting.
Take advantage of tools for virtual breakout
rooms to keep meeting sizes smaller.
– Dr. Shahin Jamal, Vancouver
Don't forget to schedule appropriate break times.
It’s hard to stay engaged virtually. For longer meetings,
consider something special for entertainment
during a longer intermission.
– Dr. Trudy Taylor, Halifax
Don't miss the opportunity for more casual interaction
with meeting participants. At traditional
face-to-face meetings it is the sidebar conversations
with your neighbour, in the hallways and
at the coffee break that are the most meaningful.
They build relationships that last for a lifetime.
This is the biggest loss with virtual meetings.
– Dr. Vandana Ahluwalia, Brampton
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