Letter to the Editor: Productively protecting a cohort of vulnerable plastic surgery trainees in the COVID-19 pandemic in a new virtual trauma clinic

Abstract

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Plastic surgery education in the COVID-19 pandemic: hindrance or opportunity?

“…For plastic surgery residents, the reduction of hands-on surgical training is particularly pertinent given the increasing levels of sophistication of plastic surgeries in the past decade and the high clinical volume of elective procedures. Knock-on impact on training competencies and progression remains to be seen, but a review acknowledged by the General Medical Council shows a decline in skills in 6–18 months [ 1 ]. As for medical students, canceled electives may have denied students insight, interest and mentorship in the field [ 2 , 3 ], which is aggravated by the limited inclusion of plastic surgery in the medical curriculum.…”

Creating a ‘safe haven’ for the most vulnerable; early reports of management strategies for breast cancer patients in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic times

“…Our facility's reorganization strategies involved creating a "COVID-19 free" centre by employing rigorous screening protocols of all patients undergoing surgery as well as development of virtual teams. 5 All patients were deemed "fit for surgery" upon satisfying 3 screening areas: 1. The establishment that patient was symptom free for a minimum of 14 days, 2.…”

“…This included an extended invitation to all breast cancer units in south England to utilize our hospital to deliver surgical care to breast cancer patients by Breast & Oncoplastic led Consultants. Our facility's reorganization strategies involved creating a “COVID-19 free” centre by employing rigorous screening protocols of all patients undergoing surgery as well as development of virtual teams 5 . All patients were deemed “fit for surgery” upon satisfying 3 screening areas: 1.…”