ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant changes in the delivery of neurological disease care and in neurology training in academic departments. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate how neurology residents viewed the future of neurology after the COVID-19 pandemic with regard to three main aspects: (i) organization of neurological activity, (ii) patient care, and (iii) funding availability for neurological diseases. METHODS: We surveyed Italian neurology residents in order to investigate how they viewed the future of neurology after the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Responses were collected from 254 residents who reported: a high risk of reduction of hospital neurological beds, of worsening of the quality of neurological patient management, and of lack of funding for neurological care and research. CONCLUSION: The survey results demonstrate the views of future neurologists regarding the direction of neurology after the COVID-19 emergency. It is important to focus on these aspects in order to adapt neurology training to the societal changes introduced by the pandemic, and to safeguard the essential role of neurology in the management and prevention of chronic degenerative illnesses and emergencies.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Neuromuscular Diseases , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Neuromuscular Diseases/epidemiology , PandemicsABSTRACT
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is having a huge impact on clinical activity of all hospitals, including the ones involved in training of residents. In addition, neurology residents underwent substantial modifications of their training program. Aim of our investigation was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the educational activities of Italian neurology residents through an online questionnaire delivered to neurology residents. The results obtained showed that almost 30% of the respondents were redistributed to COVID-19 units. Neurology departments underwent substantial modifications of their organization influencing clinical educational activities; lessons and seminars were rescheduled online and research protocols were stopped and transferred to remote working, when feasible. There was a relevant use of telemedicine approach even if most of the respondents had never been trained before. Some of the changes had a North-South gradient, following the epidemiology of the pandemic. The data obtained from our survey highlight those points to address to be prepared for possible future emergencies.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Education, Medical, Graduate/organization & administration , Internship and Residency/organization & administration , Neurology/education , Adult , Female , Humans , Italy , Male , SARS-CoV-2 , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is having a huge impact on clinical activity of all hospitals, including the ones involved in training of residents. In addition, neurology residents underwent substantial modifications of their training program.Aim of our investigation was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the educational activities of Italian neurology residents through an online questionnaire delivered to neurology residents.The results obtained showed that almost 30% of the respondents were redistributed to COVID-19 units. Neurology departments underwent substantial modifications of their organization influencing clinical educational activities; lessons and seminars were rescheduled online and research protocols were stopped and transferred to remote working, when feasible. There was a relevant use of telemedicine approach even if most of the respondents had never been trained before. Some of the changes had a North-South gradient, following the epidemiology of the pandemic.The data obtained from our survey highlight those points to address to be prepared for possible future emergencies.