Has COVID-19 Hurt Resident Education? A network-wide resident survey on education and experience during the pandemic

Abstract

Purpose: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, the healthcare system has been forced to adapt in myriad ways. Residents have faced significant changes in work schedules, deployment to COVID-19 units, and alterations to didactics. This study aims to identify the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on resident perception of their own education within the Nuvance Health Network. Methods: We conducted an observational study assessing resident perception of changes in education and lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey was developed to assess the quality and quantity of resident education during this time and administered anonymously to all residents within the healthcare network. Results: Eighty-four (68%) residents responded to the survey from five different specialties, including general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pathology, and radiology. The average change in hours per week performing clinical work was -5.6 hours (SD=16.8), in time studying was +0.02 hours (SD=4.6), in weekly didactics was -1.7 hours (SD=3.1), and in attending involvement was -1.2 hours (SD=2.3). Additionally, 32% of residents expressed concern that the pandemic has diminished their preparedness to become an attending, 13% expressed concern about completing graduation requirements, and 3% felt they would need an additional year of training. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic thus far, residents perceived that time spent on organized didactics/conferences decreased and that attending physicians are less involved in education. Furthermore, the majority of residents felt that the quality of didactic education diminished as a result of the pandemic. Surprisingly, while many residents expressed concerns about being prepared to become an attending, few were concerned about completing graduation requirements or needing an extra year of education. In light of these findings, it is critical to devote attention to the effects of the pandemic on residents' professional trajectories and create innovative opportunities for improving education during this challenging time.

Repercusión de la pandemia por COVID-19 en la formación de los residentes de neurología españoles

“…En un estudio realizado en diferentes especialidades tanto médicas como quirúrgicas, los residentes referían sentirse menos preparados de cara a convertirse en adjuntos. Sin embargo, llama la atención que solo un 3% de los encuestados consideraba necesario prorrogar un año el periodo de residencia 7 . En dicho estudio, se describe un diferente grado de afectación según la especialidad, llegando en algunos casos incluso a considerar que su formación había mejorado durante la pandemia.…”

“…De igual manera, la actividad de las consultas también se ha visto transformada, realizándose de manera telefónica, mediante telemedicina o vía mail en más del 95% de los casos, de forma semejante a como se describe en otros países y especialidades. Se ha procurado reducir al máximo el contacto estrecho con los pacientes manteniendo el acceso a los cuidados neurológicos durante la pandemia 6 , 7 , 11 , 13 .…”

The Effect of COVID-19 on United States Pediatric Emergency Departments and Its Impact on Trainees

“…While there have been published studies exploring the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgery, radiology, and neurosurgery residents, there is much less data on its impact on US EM residents. 14,15,16 For many EM residents, PED rotations represent the bulk of their pediatric clinical exposure during residency. Access to the full spectrum of pediatric cases by EM residents is widely variable across programs, and a large portion of residents demonstrate deficits in their exposure to common pediatric diagnoses by completion of training.…”

The Impact of the Early COVID-19 Pandemic on Inpatient Clinical Experience for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Resident Physicians

“…Although resident work hours on inpatient services were not studied, a study of 85 resident physicians in internal medicine, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pathology, and radiology showed an average 6-hr decrease in work hours across all fields, but an average 5-hr increase in work hours for internal medicine residents. 19 Other reports have described the impact of the COVID pandemic on training in PM&R. A study by Escalon et al 20 highlighted the changes in attitudes and experience across all levels of training in PM&R, emphasizing the use of virtual didactics, changes in distribution of inpatient and outpatient clinical experience, and cancellation of licensing examinations. Seidel et al 21 underscored the response of the training program to the pandemic, including communication strategies, wellness initiatives, initiation of virtual didactics, and distribution of personal protective equipment.…”

“…The decrease in resident work hours during the 2020 study period likely reflects the hospital requirement that admissions to the post–COVID-19 unit arrive during regular working hours to be evaluated by the specifically designated post-COVID rehabilitation team. Although resident work hours on inpatient services were not studied, a study of 85 resident physicians in internal medicine, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pathology, and radiology showed an average 6-hr decrease in work hours across all fields, but an average 5-hr increase in work hours for internal medicine residents 19 …”