COVID-19 Impact on Interventional Pulmonology Training

Abstract

Background: The impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic extends beyond the realms of patient care and healthcare resource use to include medical education; however, the repercussions of COVID-19 on the quality of training and trainee perceptions have yet to be explored. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of interventional pulmonology (IP) fellows’ involvement in the care of COVID-19 and its impact on fellows’ clinical education, procedure skills, and postgraduation employment search. Methods: An internet-based survey was validated and distributed among IP fellows in North American fellowship training programs. Results: Of 40 eligible fellows, 38 (95%) completed the survey. A majority of fellows (76%) reported involvement in the care of patients with COVID-19. Fellows training in the Northeast United States reported involvement in the care of a higher number of patients with COVID-19 than in other regions (median, 30 [interquartile range, 20–50] vs. 10 [5–13], respectively; P < 0.01). Fifty-two percent of fellows reported redeployment outside IP during COVID-19, mostly into intensive care units. IP procedure volume decreased by 21% during COVID-19 compared with pre–COVID-19 volume. This decrease was mainly accounted for by a reduction in bronchoscopies. A majority of fellows (82%) reported retainment of outpatient clinics during COVID-19 with the transition from face-to-face to telehealth-predominant format. Continuation of academic and research activities during COVID-19 was reported by 86% and 82% of fellows, respectively. After graduation, all fellows reported having secured employment positions. Conclusion: Although IP fellows were extensively involved in the care of patients with COVID-19, most IP programs retained educational activities through the COVID-19 outbreak. The impact of the decrease in procedure volume on trainee competency would be best addressed individually within each training program. These data may assist in focusing efforts regarding the education of medical trainees during the current and future healthcare crises.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on U.S. Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Training

“…The number of pleural procedures performed essentially remained the same. A similar finding was noted in the survey study from the interventional pulmonology group ( 13 ). This could possibly relate to the fact that pleural procedures are generally unavoidable, as they are both diagnostic and therapeutic.…”

“…These changes directly or indirectly impacted the education and training of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (PCCM) fellows. A recently published survey of interventional pulmonology fellows showed a decline in the number of procedures performed during the pandemic, especially therapeutic bronchoscopy, but the overall impact on training is unclear ( 13 ). The effect of the pandemic on general PCCM fellowship training is unknown.…”

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education and procedural volume of fellows in critical care medicine – a cross-sectional survey

“…The reduction in the number of bronchoscopies is concordant with national guidelines and likely related to concerns about COVID-19 transmission during this aerosolizing procedure [ 13 , 21 , 22 ]. A survey of interventional pulmonology fellows similarly noted a decline in bronchoscopies since the pandemic [ 23 ]. The reduction in the number of intubations by fellows could be explained by hospital policies early in the pandemic assigning anesthesiologists to intubate all COVID-19 patients, or attempts by faculty to protect trainees from COVID-19 exposure.…”

Evaluating the Use of E-Learning in Indian Emergency Medicine Residency Programs During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Cross-Sectional Survey

“…26 A recent survey on pulmonology trainees found that even though they were involved in COVID-19 patient care, the overall training toward skill acquisition was deficient and that modifications in educational models will be required in current and future health care crises, both global and local. 27 At this point, one may explore the possibility of an overhaul in the educational delivery system wherein early clinical exposure and training are mandated. The bulk of the didactic training occurs online and particularly for programs such as EM, where departments work on a shift basis around the clock, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.…”