The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on family medicine residency training

Abstract

Background Family physicians have played a unique clinical role during the COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that the pandemic would be associated with significant deleterious effects on clinical activity, educational training, personal safety and well-being. Objective We conducted a national survey to obtain preliminary data that would assist in future targeted data collection and subsequent evaluation of the impact of the pandemic on family medicine residents and teaching faculty. Methods An anonymous online survey of residents and faculty was distributed via the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors list serve between 5/21/2020 and 6/18/2020. Survey questions focused on clinical and educational activities, safety and well-being. Results One hundred and fifty-three residents and 151 teaching faculty participated in the survey. Decreased clinical activity was noted by 81.5% of residents and 80.9% of faculty and the majority began conducting telehealth visits (97.9% of residents, 91.0% of faculty). Distance learning platforms were used by all residents (100%) and 39.6% noted an overall positive impact on their education. Higher levels of burnout did not significantly correlate with reassignment of clinical duties (residents P = 0.164; faculty P = 0.064). Residents who showed significantly higher burnout scores (P = 0.035) and a decline in levels of well-being (P = 0.031) were more likely to participate in institutional well-being support activities. Conclusions Our preliminary data indicate that family medicine residents and teaching faculty were profoundly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Future studies can be directed by current findings with focus on mitigation factors in addressing globally disruptive events such as COVID-19.

An unexpected transition to virtual care: family medicine residents’ experience during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The results described how Residents’ learning was affected by inter-linked factors arising in the micro-, meso- and macro-levels. The report shared common interests with other studies on Residents’ clinical activities [ 7 , 9 ], educational training [ 7 ] and personal well-being [ 7 , 8 ]. From the setting perspective, this study focused on Residents’ learning experience in primary care settings, specifically in their preceptors’ practices, in contrast to overall learning experiences across various settings in other studies [ 7 – 9 ].…”

“…This study documented Residents’ one-year learning journey in BC during the early pandemic era using a focus group approach; this qualitative approach contrasts with cross-sectional surveys elsewhere -- the US and Turkey – yet provides consistent findings [ 7 – 9 ]. The results described how Residents’ learning was affected by inter-linked factors arising in the micro-, meso- and macro-levels.…”

An unexpected transition to virtual care: family medicine residents’ experience during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The report shared common interests with other studies on residents' clinical activities (9,11), educational training ( 9) and personal well-being (9,10). From the setting perspective, this study focused on residents' learning experience in primary care settings, speci cally in their preceptors' practices, in contrast to overall learning experiences across various settings in other studies (9)(10)(11). Our narrower focus allowed us to delve deeper to learn the impact of the COVID pandemic on teaching and learning of essential clinical skills, such as clinical independence and decision making.…”

“…This study documented Residents' one-year learning journey in BC during the early pandemic era using a focus group approach; this qualitative approach contrasts with cross-sectional surveys elsewhere --the US and Turkey -yet provides consistent ndings (9)(10)(11). The results described how residents' learning was affected by inter-linked factors arising in the micro-, meso-and macro-levels.…”

“…The results described how residents' learning was affected by inter-linked factors arising in the micro-, meso-and macro-levels. The report shared common interests with other studies on residents' clinical activities (9,11), educational training ( 9) and personal well-being (9,10). From the setting perspective, this study focused on residents' learning experience in primary care settings, speci cally in their preceptors' practices, in contrast to overall learning experiences across various settings in other studies (9)(10)(11).…”