The Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 on Plastic Surgery Training: The Resident Perspective

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to marked changes in surgical training, including that of plastic surgery residents. We performed a survey to gain an insight into the self-reported current and future impact of COVID-19 on plastic surgery residents. Methods: A 20-point questionnaire was designed by a panel of surgical trainees and trainers, which was filled in by Belgian plastic surgery residents and their international network of peers between 19 and 26 April 2020—week 6 of stringent Belgian lockdown measures. Questions covered the impact of COVID-19 on surgical activity, surgical training, and the future of training. Results: Thirty-five of 38 plastic surgery residents in Belgium filled in the questionnaire, as did 51 of their international peers from 9 other countries. Decreased surgical activity of >75% was reported by 86% of Belgian trainees and by 73% of international colleagues. All consultations were stopped for 26% of Belgian trainees and 37% of international peers. Forty-six percents of Belgian trainees and 27% of international peers were reassigned to different departments. Eighty-five percent of all trainees felt surgical training had suffered, yet 54% of Belgian residents and 39% of international peers felt training should not be prolonged. Anxiety regarding the pandemic was present in 54% of Belgian residents and 69% of international colleagues. Conclusions: This is the first report, expressing the voice of a representative group of plastic surgery residents, showing a significant impact of COVID-19 on training and activity. A joint effort is needed to provide continued forms of education by virtual education and skills-based learning.

Experiences and management of physician psychological symptoms during infectious disease outbreaks: a rapid review

“…Most COVID-19 studies reported on physicians from USA ( n = 23) [ 41 , 52 , 66 , 70 , 77 , 90 – 107 ], China ( n = 22) [ 15 , 49 , 54 – 56 , 65 , 68 , 73 , 86 , 89 , 102 , 108 – 118 ] followed by India ( n = 21) [ 40 , 50 , 58 , 63 , 67 , 71 , 102 , 119 – 132 ] [ 41 , 52 , 66 , 70 , 77 ], Italy ( n = 10) [ 32 , 94 , 102 , 125 , 133 – 138 ], and Turkey ( n = 11) [ 35 , 44 , 94 , 139 – 146 ] [ 28 , 30 , 32 , 34 , 36 , 37 , 42 , 45 , 47 , 48 , 59 , 60 , 62 , 80 , 87 ]. .Sixteen studies reported on physicians from multiple countries [ 47 , 51 , 69 , 94 , 102 , 106 , 125 ,...…”

COVID-19 impact on junior doctor education and training: a scoping review

“…Sources scoring higher than the mean (13, 46.4%) tended to have a higher response rate, increased complexity of data analysis or higher-level educational outcomes. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]…”

“…22 One study (16.7%) reported approximately 20% of respondents feeling they had inadequate supervision, whereas up to 39% described their supervision as adequate. 14 Beyond the overall impact of COVID-19, we assessed whether the impact on particular educational modalities, including assessment, had been investigated. In keeping with the larger surgical representation of sources, 28 (87.5%) assessed whether clinical activity had been affected (figure 3).…”

Academic-associated emotions before and during the COVID-19-related online semester – a longitudinal investigation of first-year medical students

“…When asked which three emotions towards medical studies were most triggered by the COVID-19 situation, curiosity, gratitude and being afraid were most frequently mentioned. Curiosity might refer to the many unknown variables associated with the pandemic [ 15 ] and the possibility of acquiring new knowledge [ 16 ], while gratitude might relate to the benefits of the online semester described above [ 13 ], [ 14 ]. However, examinations without prior class attendance were seen by a majority of students as a burden and thus possibly an indicator of being afraid , but the data does not allow for a causal explanation and so these hypotheses should be treated as a cautious interpretation.…”