Document Type
Poster
Keywords
Bioethics; Public Health Education; Bioethics Education; Virtual Learning
Publication Date
Spring 2026
Abstract
Background: Bioethics has emerged as a critical discipline within public health, providing essential frameworks for ethical decision-making in research, policy development, and clinical practice. However, significant disparities persist in access to bioethics education and resources, disproportionately affecting clinicians and researchers in underrepresented regions and resource-constrained settings. Digital learning platforms, particularly webinars, present a transformative opportunity to democratize bioethics education by offering accessible, interactive, and geographically unrestricted learning experiences. The George Washington University School of Public Health Bioethics Interest Group (GWSPHBIG) has leveraged this modality to develop a comprehensive webinar series aimed at strengthening understanding of core ethical principles and fostering ethical practices across the public health research continuum.
Objective: To systematically assess the global reach, engagement patterns, and educational impact of the GWSPHBIG webinar series in advancing bioethics education and ethical practices within public health, with particular emphasis on accessibility for global and underrepresented audiences.
Methodology: A comprehensive descriptive analysis was conducted on the GWSPHBIG bioethics webinar series implemented between 2020 and 2025. Multiple data sources were examined, including attendance records, post-session evaluation surveys, and real-time engagement metrics (Q&A participation, chat interactions). These data were synthesized to assess geographic reach, participant demographics, engagement patterns, and self reported educational impact.
Results: Over the five-year period, the series delivered 42 distinct webinars, engaging a cumulative audience of 3,767 participants representing 80 countries across all six inhabited continents. Analysis of survey responses collected during 2024–2025 (n=2,556) demonstrated both breadth and depth of engagement: 63% were first-time attendees, indicating successful outreach to new audiences, while 35% had attended five or more sessions, reflecting sustained community engagement and perceived ongoing value. Participant satisfaction was notably high: 94% reported that webinars met or exceeded expectations, and 68% gave the highest possible rating (5/5). Qualitative feedback identified key areas for improvement, including increased interactivity, deeper content, and expanded access to supplementary resources. Primary motivations for attendance included acquiring expert insights (48%), professional networking opportunities (25%), and exploration of relevant bioethical topics (21%).
Conclusion: The GWSPHBIG webinar series has demonstrated substantial global impact in advancing bioethics education and promoting ethical practices within public health. The program's extensive geographic reach spanning 80 countries, consistently high satisfaction ratings (94% met expectations), and sustained participant engagement (35% repeat attendees) validate the effectiveness of accessible, digitally-mediated learning formats for bioethics education. Participant feedback has informed a strategic framework for continuous improvement, prioritizing enhanced interactivity, culturally-responsive content tailored to underrepresented communities, and expanded access to educational resources. This initiative provides a replicable, scalable model for inclusive, ethics-centered public health education that addresses both current practice needs and emerging global bioethical challenges. Future research should examine long-term knowledge retention, behavioral changes in ethical decision-making, and the translation of webinar content into practice settings.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Open Access
1
Evaluating the Educational Influence and Impact of The George Washington School of Public Health Bioethics Webinars (2020-2025)
Background: Bioethics has emerged as a critical discipline within public health, providing essential frameworks for ethical decision-making in research, policy development, and clinical practice. However, significant disparities persist in access to bioethics education and resources, disproportionately affecting clinicians and researchers in underrepresented regions and resource-constrained settings. Digital learning platforms, particularly webinars, present a transformative opportunity to democratize bioethics education by offering accessible, interactive, and geographically unrestricted learning experiences. The George Washington University School of Public Health Bioethics Interest Group (GWSPHBIG) has leveraged this modality to develop a comprehensive webinar series aimed at strengthening understanding of core ethical principles and fostering ethical practices across the public health research continuum.
Objective: To systematically assess the global reach, engagement patterns, and educational impact of the GWSPHBIG webinar series in advancing bioethics education and ethical practices within public health, with particular emphasis on accessibility for global and underrepresented audiences.
Methodology: A comprehensive descriptive analysis was conducted on the GWSPHBIG bioethics webinar series implemented between 2020 and 2025. Multiple data sources were examined, including attendance records, post-session evaluation surveys, and real-time engagement metrics (Q&A participation, chat interactions). These data were synthesized to assess geographic reach, participant demographics, engagement patterns, and self reported educational impact.
Results: Over the five-year period, the series delivered 42 distinct webinars, engaging a cumulative audience of 3,767 participants representing 80 countries across all six inhabited continents. Analysis of survey responses collected during 2024–2025 (n=2,556) demonstrated both breadth and depth of engagement: 63% were first-time attendees, indicating successful outreach to new audiences, while 35% had attended five or more sessions, reflecting sustained community engagement and perceived ongoing value. Participant satisfaction was notably high: 94% reported that webinars met or exceeded expectations, and 68% gave the highest possible rating (5/5). Qualitative feedback identified key areas for improvement, including increased interactivity, deeper content, and expanded access to supplementary resources. Primary motivations for attendance included acquiring expert insights (48%), professional networking opportunities (25%), and exploration of relevant bioethical topics (21%).
Conclusion: The GWSPHBIG webinar series has demonstrated substantial global impact in advancing bioethics education and promoting ethical practices within public health. The program's extensive geographic reach spanning 80 countries, consistently high satisfaction ratings (94% met expectations), and sustained participant engagement (35% repeat attendees) validate the effectiveness of accessible, digitally-mediated learning formats for bioethics education. Participant feedback has informed a strategic framework for continuous improvement, prioritizing enhanced interactivity, culturally-responsive content tailored to underrepresented communities, and expanded access to educational resources. This initiative provides a replicable, scalable model for inclusive, ethics-centered public health education that addresses both current practice needs and emerging global bioethical challenges. Future research should examine long-term knowledge retention, behavioral changes in ethical decision-making, and the translation of webinar content into practice settings.
Comments
Poster presented at the GWSPH Research Day 2026.