The importance of showing up

In a world rapidly being taken over by online content and ChatGPT it is easy to fall into the trap that “convenient” learning is valuable learning.

I have been coaching and training psychiatry trainees and IMG’s for just on 18 years and have delivered workshops, made DVD’s and run many webinars over this time. I worked in one of the harshest lockdowns worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic, in Melbourne, Australia. When it came to clinical practice, I disliked Telehealth psychiatry and chose to work as a locum instead so I could still relate to others in a physical manner.

I have continued to deliver my coaching and training solutions for the RANZCP exams and have just finished my last round of face-to-face workshops prior to the September 2025 MEQ essay exam.

I notice that many of us in the coaching and workshop space are currently lamenting online learning and wondering how we can get people who have become used to logging onto an online course or workshop and then getting distracted by a plethora of other things to come back.

From the point of view of a facilitator, it is very difficult to read an audience when delivering online content. It is much easier to pick up on energy and work out where to pitch content when your audience is in the room with you. The learning process is enhanced, and the reward form the investment of time and travel to a venue is greatly improved.

And for the attendees, there is nothing like fully immersing yourself in learning, away from distraction, and getting the feedback that only comes from sharing an in-person moment with he facilitator and the other course attendees.

There are particular nuances with delivering coaching for an essay-based exam. It may seem to be convenient to watch videos regarding content required to answer a question. But I know from years of teaching that knowing content and then applying that to a written answer is a whole different skill, and one where many unsuccessful candidates fall down.

Everything from legibility of handwriting to the ability to write succinct, sophisticated sentences that avoid “so what” thinking are critical for exam success. These factors can’t be identified or improved upon anywhere nearly as well when coaching a virtual audience.

I will be planning workshops for 2026 when I know that there is still an appetite for face to face learning. Although I do offer both options, I know when one really appeals and delivers success, rather than approach that feels easy and asks for little investment.