The influence of the COVID-19 outbreak on European trainees in obstetrics and gynaecology: A survey of the impact on training and trainee

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate how the obstetrics and gynaecology residency program and trainees have been affected by the Corona Virus pandemic in Europe. Study Design: This study is a cross-sectional explorative survey using an online questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised of 40 questions that were subdivided into 4 subjects; workload, specialist training aspects in obstetrics and gynaecology, health and safety of the trainee and women's health and maternal health issues. Inclusion criteria consisted of being a trainee in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ObGyn) at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe or trainees who had recently finished their training during the time of the outbreak. Taking part in the survey was voluntary. The questionnaire was shared on the website of the European Network for Trainees in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ENTOG), ENTOG social media, in the ENTOG-newsletter and through the national representatives of ENTOG. Results: 110 ObGyn trainees from 25 different countries responded to the questionnaire. Almost all trainees (95 %, N = 105) reported an effect on their training due to COVID-19 pandemic. Training was interrupted in 21 % of cases (n = 23). Trainees observed a decrease in educational activities or lectures and a decrease in number of patients. The possibility of training surgical skills decreased, because 67 % (N = 74) trainees reported that surgeries were cancelled. Trainees expressed concerns about reaching the goals of their ObGyn specialist training in 60 % (n = 66) of cases.A decrease in workload was experienced during the first COVID-19 wave in Europe by 60 % (n = 66) of trainees. On average these trainees worked 33 % less hours compared to a normal workweek. Although 22 % (n = 24) were expected to be available continuously for 24 h a day and 7 days a week for unscheduled duties, 15 % (n = 16) were deployed to work on special COVID-units. Concerning preparation, 45 % of the trainees (n = 50) had not received any training for treating COVID-positive patients. Trainees claimed to have enough personal protective equipment (PPE), although problems were reported. Any form of psychosocial support was arranged for 65 % of trainees (n = 71) by the hospital or department. The results of the survey suggest that obstetric care was not affected much (92 % (n = 102) of the respondents said at least necessary care continued) while patients in need for reproductive medicine were affected the most; out of the 110 departments 58 % (n = 60) were closed and 35 % (n = 36) reduced their activities. Access to family planning and benign gynaecology were also significantly reduced; 77 % and 87 % respectively of the departments were less accessible or only open to emergency cases. Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous effect on the ObGyn training in Europe. Exposure to learning opportunities, surgeries and teaching has been decreased during the outbreak and may result in a decrease in quality of care provided to women in the future if impairment of training is not recove...

Impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on obstetrics and gynecology residency training program in India: A national online survey

“…Recent studies from disciplines like surgery and radiology have revealed a substantial influence on residents' training workflow during the outbreak. 4 Therefore, this study was planned to assess the outcome of COVID pandemic on the training curriculum of residents posted in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBG).…”

“…Recent studies from disciplines like surgery and radiology have revealed a substantial influence on residents' training workflow during the outbreak. 4 …”

Working conditions for hospital-based maternity and neonatal health care workers during extraordinary situations – A pre-/post COVID-19 pandemic analysis and lessons learned

“…The implemented changes in working routines resulted also in negative effects on the employees’ working conditions, which could explain the adverse effects on health described by others [7] , [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] . Important factors from the qualitative analyses, which could help to understand these negative effects, were worry about being infected and uncertainty whether the implemented changes were sufficient to protect the employees and women from getting COVID-19, as well as shortfalls in the physical care environment, staff shortages, challenges in communicating the rapid changes in work routines, lack of recovery due to extra shifts, and a fear of making mistakes when being transferred to another department.…”

“…To date, there is limited knowledge about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the working conditions for HCWs working in hospital-based maternity and neonatal health care [7] , [11] . Since the beginning of the pandemic, a few cross-sectional studies have been performed, consistently reporting both affected work routines and increased levels of stress and worry among HCWs working in hospital-based maternity and neonatal health care [7] , [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] . However, these studies do not provide in-depth discussion regarding plausible mechanisms, nor do they give suggestions regarding preventive measures that could reduce the negative effect of the pandemic on HCWs’ working conditions and health [7] , [11] .…”

Teaching and Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Topic Modeling Study

“…Much of this was significantly curtailed during this period [47]. Reports that are related to this from a number of specialties, including obstetrics and gynecology, urology, ophthalmology, pediatrics, gastroenterology, dermatology, cardiology, dentistry, radiology, anesthetics, emergency medicine, etc., have been documented [48][49][50][51] from nearly all populated continents of the world (Figure 5D). Surgical residents have also been severely impacted by the cancellation of non-essential procedures during this period [52].…”