Impact of COVID-19 on UK radiology training: a questionnaire study

Abstract

To understand the impact of COVID-19 on radiology trainee experience and well-being. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire designed to capture the impact of COVID-19 on radiology training, working patterns, and well-being was sent to all speciality trainees in a regional UK radiology school. The survey was distributed at the beginning of May 2020 and responses collected over 2 weeks. Trainees were questioned about changes that had occurred over a time period starting at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. All survey responses (n¼29) were anonymised and the results were subsequently analysed. RESULTS: Sixty-two percent (29 of 47) of trainees within the deanery, who were spread across seven different hospital sites, responded to the questionnaire. All trainees felt that overall radiology workload had decreased in response to COVID-19. Seventy-two percent (21/ 29) stated that their workload had significantly decreased. Seventy percent (19/27) reported decreased subspecialty experience, and 19% (5/27) reported a complete lack of subspecialty training. Twenty-four percent (7/29) of trainees were redeployed from radiology to clinical ward-based work. Forty-eight percent reported experiencing a worsening in their well-being compared to before the pandemic. CONCLUSION: The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on training and well-being. Lessons learnt from this report should help prepare for a second-wave of COVID-19 or future pandemics.

Impact of COVID-19 on radiology training: Royal College of Radiologists Junior Radiologists Forum national survey

“…1 A singleregion trainee survey report performed in May 2020 found that all trainees reported a decrease in workload in response to COVID-19. 2 This resulted in a statistically significant drop in plain film reporting numbers and a selfreported drop in cross-sectional reports, ultrasound imaging and interventional procedures 2 ; this is congruent with the national activity data at the time of data collection. When surveyed by the General Medical Council (GMC) in late July/early August 2020; 61% of radiology trainees and trainers reported their workload was lighter.…”

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on radiologists

“…Many surveys have been published recently describing the effects of this pandemic which have concentrated on the training aspect of radiology and some analyzing the effect on the well-being of the radiologists who were working in a small group or regions. [ 2 , 3 ] Our survey reports the opinion of the radiologists working in different countries about their experience in this pandemic.…”

Resident Experiences With Virtual Radiology Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Honoring resident vacation time should be prioritized in order to maintain resident well-being and prevent burn-out. Work by Veersauri and colleagues in the United Kingdom showed that nearly half of their study cohort, composed of radiology residents, reported worsened well-being compared to pre-pandemic ( 11 ). Similarly, Robbins et al found that the pandemic negatively impacted resident morale ( 10 ).…”

“…Solutions to decreases in imaging volumes ( 8 , 9 ) include dividing residents into two clinical groups with one reporting to service and the other assigned to distance learning, promoting online learning resources, assigning scientific/review articles with multiple choice questions, and hosting interesting case conferences ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ). Additionally, studies have indicated that the pandemic has negatively impacted trainee well-being, including decreased resident morale ( 10 , 11 ). Promoting trainee wellness has been facilitated with the use of virtual strategies such as engagement in social media, encouraging resident meetings/huddles, hosting a virtual happy hour, and promoting institutional or other online well-being resources ( 2 , 3 , 4 , 10 ).…”