Grand Rounds training has long been a cornerstone of medical education, serving as a vital platform for healthcare professionals to present clinical cases, discuss complex medical conditions, and share the latest advancements in medical research. Traditionally, these sessions were held in hospital auditoriums, and attended by physicians, residents, and medical staff. However, as the demands of modern healthcare have evolved, so too have the challenges associated with maintaining effective Grand Rounds training.
The Tale of the Empty Auditorium
There’s an apocryphal tale that perfectly illustrates the challenges of traditional Grand Rounds. A well-recognized professor was invited to host a lecture at a prestigious university’s Grand Rounds. At the appointed hour, he found himself sitting alone in a cavernous auditorium with only one other physician in the front row. Despite his deflated spirits, the professor delivered his lecture. Afterward, he thanked the lone audience member for staying through the entire presentation. The physician replied, “I had to stay, I’m the second speaker.”
This humorous yet poignant story underscores the difficulties many institutions face in organizing Grand Rounds. From poor attendance to the logistical hurdles of gathering busy healthcare professionals in one place, traditional Grand Rounds sessions are increasingly at odds with the realities of modern healthcare.

Current Hospital Learning Challenges
Hospitals today face a variety of challenges when it comes to staff training, especially in the context of Grand Rounds. These challenges include:
1. High Training Costs: Conducting traditional Grand Rounds sessions often involves significant expenses. From organizing the event to accommodating large groups of healthcare professionals, the costs can quickly add up, making it difficult for hospitals to sustain regular sessions.
2. Short Staffing: With many hospitals operating under tight staffing conditions, finding time for staff to attend lengthy training sessions becomes increasingly difficult. This often leads to gaps in training, leaving healthcare professionals underprepared for the latest medical advancements.
3. Time Constraints for Busy Doctors: Physicians and other healthcare providers are often too busy with patient care to sit in a theater for hours to participate in Grand Rounds. Their demanding schedules make it challenging to attend in-person sessions regularly, leading to missed opportunities for learning and professional development.
4. Low Clinical Staff Engagement: Engaging clinical staff in traditional Grand Rounds can be difficult, particularly when the sessions are perceived as lengthy and unengaging. This lack of engagement can result in lower retention of critical information and reduced enthusiasm for ongoing professional development.
How Enghouse Mediasite Can Revolutionize Grand Rounds Training
Enghouse Mediasite offers a powerful video solution that addresses these challenges, transforming how hospitals conduct Grand Rounds and other training sessions. Here’s how Mediasite can help:
Cost-Effective Training Delivery: Mediasite allows hospitals to record Grand Rounds sessions and make them available on-demand, reducing the need for repeated live events. This not only cuts down on costs but also ensures that valuable training content is accessible to all staff, regardless of their schedule.
Flexible Access for Short-Staffed Teams: With Mediasite, Grand Rounds training can be accessed anytime, anywhere. This flexibility is crucial for short-staffed hospitals, as it allows healthcare professionals to engage in training when it fits into their busy schedules, rather than being tied to a specific time and place.
Convenient Learning for Busy Doctors: Mediasite’s video platform enables physicians to participate in Grand Rounds without leaving their patients or taking time away from their practice. Doctors can watch recorded sessions during breaks, between appointments, or even at home, making it easier to stay up-to-date with the latest medical knowledge.
Enhanced Engagement Through Interactive Features: Mediasite’s interactive features, such as quizzes, polls, and Q&A sessions, can be integrated into recorded Grand Rounds to boost engagement. This approach ensures that clinical staff remain actively involved in their learning, leading to higher retention of information and greater enthusiasm for ongoing training.
Grand Rounds Training of the Future: Get Started with Enghouse Mediasite
Grand Rounds training is an essential component of continuous medical education, but it’s clear that traditional methods face significant challenges in today’s healthcare environment. By leveraging Enghouse Mediasite, hospitals can overcome these obstacles, offering flexible, cost-effective, and engaging training that meets the needs of modern healthcare professionals. Mediasite not only preserves the rich educational value of Grand Rounds but also makes it more accessible and impactful for all healthcare staff, ultimately contributing to better patient care and outcomes.