Evaluating the Early Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sports Surgery Fellowship Education

Abstract

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic forced many hospitals to cancel elective surgeries to minimize the risk of viral transmission and ensure the availability of vital health resources. The unintended consequences of this action on the education and training of orthopaedic sports surgeons are unknown. The purpose of this study is to measure the impact of COVID-19 on orthopaedic sports surgery fellows, their education and training, and their readiness for practice. Methods A comprehensive survey was created and distributed to all U.S. fellows and fellowship directors registered with the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. Responses were collected between April 22, 2020, and May 5, 2020. Results Fifty-one sports fellows and twenty-nine sports fellowship directors completed the survey. Over 80.4% of fellows reported a greater than 50% decrease in the case volume since the cessation of elective cases. Average hours worked per week decreased by 58.2% during the pandemic. Fellows reported completing an average of 324.6 ± 97.4 cases prior to the COVID-19 crisis and 86.0% expected to complete at least 11% to 25% fewer cases by graduation compared to previous fellows. 87.5% of fellows were not concerned about their ability to complete their fellowship training but more than one-third of fellows voiced concerns to their fellowship directors regarding their readiness for independent practice. Fellowship directors were generally not concerned that COVID-19 would prevent their fellows from completing the fellowship. At least 54.2% are somewhat concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on their future job opportunities. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has universally affected work hours and case volume of sports fellows. Nevertheless, most sports fellows feel prepared to enter practice and are generally supported by the confidence of their fellowship directors. The results of this survey emphasize the importance of the fellowship year in sports training and highlight the future of online education and simulation as useful adjuncts.

What is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on residency training: a systematic review and analysis

“…The majority of the studies were published in countries severely affected by the pandemic, and therefore, medical education and residency training were substantially affected in these countries. Fewer elective operations because of policies established during the pandemic were noted in some specialties, such as urology, orthopedics, plastic surgery, and diagnostic angiography [ 12 , 63 – 65 ]. The policies of lockdown and quarantine reduced patient volume for some diseases, such as trauma and infectious diseases, which induced less clinical exposure [ 66 , 67 ].…”

“…Surgical specialties were the most and first affected. Elective surgeries were cancelled or postponed during the pandemic, providing less practice and experience for the residents [ 63 – 65 , 67 ]. Additionally, residents in surgical specialties were redeployed to manage patients with COVID-19 or perform other work due to medical resource reallocation, disrupting their original surgical training courses.…”

Perception of Medical Undergraduate Students about an Electronic Practical Examination In Orthopaedics During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…There is a paucity of evidence related to the use of innovative assessment methods. Though many articles [ 19 , 20 ] have discussed methods to improve orthopaedic education, no study has addressed the question of the practical application of knowledge of undergraduate medical students in orthopaedics.…”

Orthopaedic training during COVID-19 pandemic: should action be taken?

“…Twenty-five percent of the spine fellows were concerned about job opportunities [12]. A similar survey of sports medicine fellows yielded similar responses [11]. A survey from Ireland showed that 35% of trainees felt that their training should be extended to fulfill the training requirements [13].…”

“…Another variable was the training service where the trainee was enrolled. When spine fellows and sports medicine fellows were surveyed for the effect of the pandemic, 62.2% of spine fellows compared to 80.4% of sports fellows reported > 50% reduction in the number of cases they operated upon due to cancellation of elective surgery [11,12]. A study from Ireland indicated that elective surgery was significantly reduced during the lockdown.…”