Supported by the European Society of Aerospace Medicine (ESAM), the ESAM Academy was the first organisation in the international aerospace medical community to present an online webinar during the lockdown period in 2020. Because of its great success, a second webinar was organised on 15 January 2021.
Webinar 15 October 2020 – 17:00-19:30 (CET)
Theme: “Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aviation community and aircrew”
The webinar held via ZOOM was very successful, which is illustrated by the huge number (370) of international participants, who enjoyed the following programme:
- Welcome and opening of the webinar: Dr. Claudia Stern, Executive Director of ESAM Academy.
- The webinar was chaired by Dr. Declan Maher, President of ESAM.
Speakers and presentations:
1. Dr. Ansa Jordaan (Chief Aviation Medicine ICAO): Consequences of COVID-19 for the aviation industry and for aviation personnel in particular: the global perspective.
2. Dr. Cristian Ionut Panait (Medical Expert, EASA): COVID-19 affecting the European aviation industry: European actions, measures, and perspectives.
3. Dr. Francisco Rios Tejada (Medical Assessor AESA; Chair of EAMAC): Medical consequences for pilots/cabin crew who suffered from COVID-19 and considerations on the long term effects on health and fitness to fly: Guidance for AMEs.
4. Prof. Dr. Olivier Manen (Percy Military Hospital Aeromedical Centre, France; ESAM Advisory Board): Medical consequences for pilots/cabin crew who suffered from COVID-19 and considerations of the long term effects on health and fitness to fly: The French Experience and proposed algorithm to assist the AME.
5. Dr. Ries Simons (ESAM Advisory Board and EPPSI Board): Mental health impact of COVID-19 on aviation personnel who were affected by COVID-19 and those who did not have COVID but were confronted with lock down, loss of their jobs, reduced terms and conditions, and the prospect of employment insecurity in an uncertain and volatile future: Considerations for AMEs.
6. Chair: Questions and Wrap up
Webinar 15 January 2021 - 17:00-19:30 (CET)
Theme: “Chances of recovery of the aviation industry in light of the latest aeromedical developments of the COVID-19 pandemic”.
This second webinar, presenting internationally renowned experts and attracting around 400 attendees, was equally successful. The webinar had the following programme:
- Welcome and opening of the webinar: Dr. Claudia Stern, Executive Director of ESAM Academy.
- The webinar was again chaired by Dr. Declan Maher, President of ESAM.
Titles of presentations and speakers:
1. "COVID-19: new virus, pandemic and what is expected from vaccination"
Dr. Antonio Cassone, MD - Primary Professor Innovation Pole of Genomics, Genetics and Biology (Polo GGB), Siena, Italy.
2. “Helping People Perform to Their Best to Inspire the Recovery”
Mr. John Franklin - Head of Safety Promotion EASA.
3. “In-flight Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: What We Do and Don’t Know”
Dr. David O. Freedman, MD - Managing Senior Director, Shoreland Travax and Professor Emeritus of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham.
4. “COVID-19 Vaccines: commercial aviation considerations”
Dr. Ian Hosegood MD – Director of Medical Services Quantas, Australia.
5. Questions, Discussion, and Wrap up – Dr. Declan Maher (chair).
