ABSTRACT
With changes to interview format and away rotations, the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the residency application process. In this retrospective cohort study of data from the nationwide Texas Seeking Transparency in Applications to Residency (STAR) survey, we sought to understand how the pandemic has affected applicants in the 2021 dermatology Match. We compared applicants in the post-COVID-19 Match year (2021) with those in pre-COVID-19 Match years (2018-2020) regarding match rates, interview costs, residency geographic connections, and number of interviews attended. A total of 439 dermatology applicants who completed the Texas STAR survey were included. There was no difference in percentage of applicants with a geographic connection to their matched program (43.88% vs 47.20%). Compared with prior cycles, applicants in the 2021 Match had a higher percentage of interview offers (96% vs 90%, P < .0001), and more applicants attended 16 or more interviews (P = .0489). Applicants in the 2021 Match reported an average savings of $5,000 compared with prior cycles. Virtual interviews offer savings for applicants but may encourage interview hoarding. Though applicants did not perform away rotations, there was no increase in geographic connection for matched applicants. Stakeholders should consider these data when evaluating the pros and cons of virtual interviewing postpandemic.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Dermatology , Internship and Residency , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Pandemics , Retrospective Studies , TexasABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the nursing student clinical experience. At the time of this project, hospitals hosting students for clinical experiences had a high population of COVID-19 positive patients. University and hospital policies at the time prohibited students from caring for COVID-19 patients due to the inability to safely ensure that students could access the proper protective equipment (PPE) necessary when caring for patients in airborne precautions. Infection control guidelines for patients in airborne precautions require a N95 respirator to be always worn by healthcare providers. These respirators require yearly fit test following OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards. Hospitals do have the resources to complete N95 fit tests for nursing students. The solution was to provide qualitative N95 mask fit testing, performed by university faculty, staff, and students using OSHA guidelines and standards. Within 3 months, over 50% of the student population had been fit tested, which increased the clinical opportunities for the students.
ABSTRACT
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an infectious disease of recent origin with high transmissibility and mortality. The resulting COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the United States the most, in terms of the number of confirmed cases and fatalities. How other aspects of public health will be impacted by this disease has yet to be fully realized. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), already a major public health crisis, will likely be significantly affected by this pandemic. We address some of the potential implications for STDs in the setting of widespread COVID-19, discussing the sexual transmission of COVID-19 itself, STD co-infection with COVID-19, and changes in STD prevalence secondary to COVID-19. (SKINmed. 2020;18:210-212).