ABSTRACT
Introduction: Reprioritisation of workforce resources during the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in the cancellation of elective operating lists and redeployment of surgical trainees. The implications on the perceived confidence and capability of trainees have been reported in qualitative studies, while quantitative effects on dexterity are alluded to but are harder to qualify. Our aim was to provide an indirect measure of the impact of the pandemic on technical skills, by comparing pre- and post-pandemic outcomes on surgical simulators. Methods: We analysed performance data of First year Urology registrars completing the European Basic Laparoscopic Urological Skills (E-BLUS) exercises as part of a course. Data from 2018 and 2019 were combined to measure “pre-pandemic group” performance, and data from 2021 used for “post-pandemic group”. Results: There were 103 and 48 trainees in the prepandemic and post-pandemic groups respectively. Prepandemic group performance was significantly better in 2 out of 4 E-BLUS tasks during the practice session. For Task 3 average time to completion was 175 seconds less (p<0.001) and for Task 4 the average time was faster by 107 seconds (p=0.003). During the assessment, prepandemic group performance was better (p=0.017) for Task 2 and significantly faster (p=003) for Task 4. Conclusion: Our Results provide evidence to support the notion that the pandemic has had a tangible detrimental effect on the technical skills of urology trainees. Going forwards more resources should be dedicated to 'catching up' trainees who have had a compromised experience during this time, either through local interventions or widespread curriculum change.