[Perceptions of resident physicians on the development of the cardiology resident program during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lima, Peru]. / Percepciones de los médicos residentes sobre el desarrollo del programa de residentado de cardiología durante la pandemia por COVID-19 en Lima, Perú.

Objective: To describe the perceptions of resident doctors about the development of their training program during the pandemic in the city of Lima - Peru. Materials and methods: Through a cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was applied to seventy-eight cardiology residents in the last two years of training in the specialty. The perceptions about the accompaniment and support of the universities in the educational venues, for the development of the training program in cardiology during the pandemic, were evaluated. Results: Regarding the support provided for their training, the items evaluated showed shortcomings above 60%, where permanent supervision was lacking in 90.0% of the residents. Regarding compliance with the rotations, the residents only received supervision in 24.4%, observing that they did not manage to carry out adequate rotations in 80.8% of the cases. The courses of the curricular plan were adequately developed in 92.5% of the cases, and the actions for the health of the resident were very low, highlighting that only in 9.0% of the cases did the university inquire about the state of health of the resident. Conclusions: The development of the cardiology residency training program during the pandemic presented important shortcomings, showing that the deficiencies were accentuated compared to previous studies.

Relationship Between Residency Match Distance From Medical School and Virtual Application, School Characteristics, and Specialty Competitiveness.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the residency match process by eliminating away rotations and changing from in-person to virtual interviews. In this study, we explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the geographic match distance of United States (US) senior medical students across all specialties. METHODS: We collected publicly available student match data between 2018 and 2021 from US allopathic medical schools and calculated match distance between medical school and residency training using a novel metric - the "match space." Match space was codified by whether the student matched at their home institution, home state, adjacent state, same or adjacent US census division (non-adjacent state) or skipped at least one US census division. Adjusting for covariates, ordinal logistic regression correlated school and specialty characteristics with match distance pre- and post-pandemic for all specialties. We defined and ranked specialty competitiveness using predictive values from factor analysis. RESULTS: A total of 34,672 students representing 66 medical schools from 28 states matched into 26 specialties in 50 states and Canada. Fifty-nine percent of students were from public institutions, and 27% of schools ranked in the top 40 for research. The mean percentage of in-state students by school was 60.3% (range 3-100%). Match space was lower after the pandemic (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.94, 95% CI 0.90-0.98; p=0.006), from schools with higher in-state percentages (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.72-0.76), from top National Institutes of Health-funded institutions (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.85-0.92), from the Northeast (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.67-0.75; Midwest reference), and the West (OR 0.67, 95% 0.60-0.74). Match space was higher for students graduating from private schools (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.05-1.19), from the South (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.2-1.33), and matching into more competitive specialties (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02-1.14). The top five most competitive specialties were Plastic Surgery, Neurosurgery, Dermatology, Orthopedic Surgery, and Otolaryngology. Internal Medicine ranked eighth. CONCLUSIONS: After the COVID-19 pandemic, students graduating from US allopathic schools matched closer to their home institution. Students attending public schools, schools with more in-state matriculants, and schools with higher research rankings also matched closer to their home institutions. Specialty competitiveness and US census region also impacted match distance. Our study adds insight into how geographic match patterns were influenced by school, specialty choice, and the pandemic.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic in thoracic surgery training in Spain.

In the more than 2 years since its emergence, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has prompted important changes in healthcare systems and their organization. The aim of this study is to determine the implications in specialized thoracic surgery training as well as the repercussions on thoracic surgery residents. With this objective, the Spanish Society of Thoracic Surgery has conducted a survey among all its trainees and those who had finished their residency during the last 3 years. It consisted of 24 multiple-answer closed questions about the impact of the pandemic on their services, their training, and their personal experience. The response rate was 42% (52 out of a target population of 120). The effect of the pandemic on thoracic surgery services was high or extreme according to 78.8% of the participants. Academic activities were completely cancelled in 42.3% of the cases, and 57.7% of the respondents were required to treat hospitalized COVID patients (25% part-time, and 32.7% full-time). More than 80% of the survey participants believed that changes during the pandemic negatively affected their training, and 36.5% would prefer to extend their training period. In sum, we observe how the pandemic has had deep negative effects on specialized training in thoracic surgery in Spain.

Impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en la formación de los cirujanos torácicos en España

RESUMEN Tras más de dos años desde su aparición, la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 ha generado importantes cambios en la sanidad y su organización. El presente trabajo trata de dilucidar las implicaciones de estos en la formación especializada de la cirugía torácica y sus repercusiones en los profesionales en formación. Para ello, desde la Sociedad Española de Cirugía Torácica se distribuye una encuesta entre los residentes en activo y aquellos que han terminado su formación en los últimos 3 años. Esta consta de 24 preguntas cerradas de respuesta múltiple sobre el impacto de la pandemia en sus servicios, su formación y su vivencia. La tasa de respuesta de la encuesta fue del 42% (52 de una población objetivo de 120). El efecto de la pandemia en el funcionamiento de los servicios de cirugía torácica fue considerado alto o extremo según 78.8% de los participantes. Las actividades académicas fueron completamente suspendidas en 42.3% de los casos, mientras que el 57.7% de los participantes tuvieron que prestar atención asistencial a pacientes ingresados por COVID, de los cuales el 25% fue a tiempo parcial y 32,7% a tiempo completo. De los encuestados, el 80% consideró que los cambios sufridos durante la pandemia afectaron su formación como residente y 36.5% opinó que debería ofrecerse una prolongación del periodo de formación para quienes se hayan visto afectados. Así pues, observamos cómo la pandemia ha afectado profundamente de forma negativa la formación especializada en cirugía torácica en España. After more tan two years from its emergence, SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has provoked important changes in health systems and its organization. This work's aim is to define the implications of these in the specialized learning of thoracic surgery and its repercussions in thoracic surgery residents. With this objective, the Spanish Society of Thoracic Surgery made a survey among all its trainees and those who finished their residency during the last 3 years. It consists of 24 multiple answer closed questions about the impact of the pandemic in their services, their training and their personal experience of it. The answer rate was of 42% (52 out of an objective population of 120). The effect of pandemic in thoracic surgery services was high or extreme according to 78.8% of the participants. Academic activities were completely cancelled in 42.3% of the cases, and 57.7% of the respondents had to attend to COVID patients;25% partial and 32.7% full time. More than 80% of the respondents considered that changes during the pandemic negatively affected their training and 36.5% would rather prefer to extend their training time. So, in sum, we observe how the pandemic has supposed a deep negative affectation of the specialized training in thoracic surgery in Spain.

Impact of the first COVID-19 wave on surgical training in Flanders: are we losing competence?

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has tremendously impacted the healthcare system and residency programs worldwide. Surgical residents were redeployed to COVID-19 units, whereas education and scientific didactics were reduced. The aim of this study is to identify the impact of COVID-19 on Flemish surgical residents' education, personal life and volume of performed surgeries. METHODS: A cross-sectional retrospective survey on educational and personal impact during the first COVID-19 wave was administered anonymously to all surgical residents in Flanders. A quantitative comparison of performed surgeries during this period and the same period a year earlier was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 193 surgical residents (46%) completed the survey. 63% of residents were no longer admitted to multidisciplinary oncologic meetings and 107 (55%) residents had no longer any scientific theoretical meetings at all. Almost one in two residents (46%) indicated more than 50% reduction in time in the operating theater and one in three (31%) residents were involved in care for COVID-19 positive surgical patients. Seventy-eight percent of the residents experienced a negative impact on their surgical training and 41% experienced a negative influence on their private situation. Performed surgical cases during the COVID-19 period were on average 40% less for second, third- and fourth-year residents. CONCLUSION: Surgical residents perceived a high negative impact on personal and professional lives during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Flanders. Education and training programs were cancelled and volume of performed surgeries decreased tremendously. Policymakers and surgical program coordinators should ensure surgical education during further evolution of this and future pandemics.

Impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 de enero a junio de 2020 en la formación académica de residentes en la Universidad de Antioquia

Objetivos: conocer el impacto de la pandemia del COVID-19 en la formación académica de residentes de especialidades médicas y quirúrgicas de la Universidad de Antioquia por medio de una encuesta en línea sobre la percepción de la situación durante los meses de enero a junio del 2020. Métodos: estudio observacional, descriptivo y de corte transversal a través de una encuesta difundida entre residentes de especialidades durante el aislamiento social. Resultados: la encuesta fue respondida por 156 residentes. El 47 % convive con personas consideradas de alto riesgo para COVID-19. Todos los residentes contaron con dispositivos electrónicos y buena conectividad para realizar las actividades en línea. El 30 % de los encuestados se ha sentido discriminado por ser personal del área de la salud. Se ha sentido satisfecho por su formación en aspectos teóricos el 81,4 % y en actividades prácticas el 55,1 %. El riesgo de contagio por COVID-19 es el aspecto con mayor impacto negativo, reportado por el 61 %. Los residentes se ausentaron de sus sitios de práctica en promedio 31 días. El 52 % participó en actividades de telesalud. La mayoría de los residentes (97,5 %) participó en actividades virtuales. Discusión: la pandemia del COVID-19 impactó significativamente los procesos formativos de los médicos residentes. La encuesta documenta una sensible disminución de las actividades asistenciales y el acceso a las actividades prácticas, con un evidente incremento de actividades por medio de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación. La pandemia ha impulsado un proceso de adaptación en las instituciones educativas para cumplir con la planeación de las actividades programadas.Alternate : Objective: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the academic development of residents in medical and surgical specialties at the University of Antioquia through an online survey. Methods: Observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study involving a survey distributed to medical residents. Results: The survey was completed by 156 residents. They all had electronic devices and the means necessary to carry out virtual activities. Almost half of the participants (47.4%) lived with people who were considered high-risk for COVID-19. Of those surveyed, 30.1% felt discriminated against for being healthcare workers. Even though 81.4% of participants were satisfied with the theoretical training, only 55.1% were satisfied with the practical training. The most detrimental impact was the risk of contracting COVID-19, which was reported by 61% of participants. On average, residents were absent for 31 days. Fifty two percent of residents participated in telehealth activities, and 97.5% participated in virtual activities. Discussion: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the training of residents. This study quantified a decrease of in-person educational activities including practical activities and an increase in virtual methods of education and communication. The pandemic has forced educational institutions to transform the way they teach in order to follow public health measures.

The Psychosocial Impact of Treating Patients with COVID-19 on Psychiatry Residents in a Community Hospital: a Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVE: The authors explored the experiences of psychiatry residents caring for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic on a medical unit. METHODS: From June 2020 through December 2020, structured, individual interviews were conducted with psychiatry residents deployed to internal medicine wards in a community hospital to provide medical care to COVID-19 patients for greater than or equal to 1 week. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analytical methods. RESULTS: Psychiatry residents (n = 16) were interviewed individually for approximately 45 min each. During the interviews, many residents described emotions of fear, anxiety, uncertainty, lack of preparedness, and difficulty coping with high patient mortality rates. Many of the residents expressed concerns regarding insufficient personal protective equipment, with the subsequent worries of their own viral exposure and transmission to loved ones. Multiple residents expressed feeling ill-equipped to care for COVID-19 patients, in some cases stating that utilizing their expertise in mental health would have better addressed the mental health needs of colleagues and patients' families. Participants also described the benefits of processing emotions during supportive group sessions with their program director. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic represents a public health crisis with potential negative impacts on patient care, professionalism, and physicians' well-being and safety. The psychiatry residents and fellows described the overwhelmingly negative impact on their training. The knowledge gained from this study will help establish the role of the psychiatrist not only in future crises but in healthcare as a whole.

Improving Medical Student Mentorship in Orthopaedic Surgery.

Introduction: Owing to limited clinical clerkships and travel restrictions related to COVID-19, recent medical student mentorship in orthopaedic surgery has been impacted negatively. The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to determine if medical student awareness of orthopaedics as a possible career field may be improved through a mentoring program designed and delivered by orthopaedic residents. Methods: A five-resident QI team developed four educational sessions aimed at a medical student audience. Forum topics included: (1) orthopaedics as a career, (2) fracture conference, (3) splinting workshop, and (4) residency application process. Pre- and post-forum surveys were administered to student participants to assess changes in their perceptions regarding orthopaedic surgery. Data derived from the questionnaires were analyzed with nonparametric statistical tests. Results: Of 18 forum participants, 14 were men and 4 were women. A total of 40 survey pairs were collected, averaging 10 per session. In the all-participant encounter analysis, there were statistically significant improvements in all outcome measures including interest in, exposure to, and knowledge of orthopaedics; exposure to our training program; and ability to interact with our residents. Those undecided regarding their specialty demonstrated larger increases in post-forum responses, suggesting that the learning experience was more impactful for that subgroup. Conclusions: This QI initiative was a successful demonstration of orthopaedic resident mentorship of medical students, wherein perceptions of orthopaedics were influenced favorably by the educational experience. For some students with limited access to orthopaedic clerkships or formal one-on-one mentoring, forums like these may be an acceptable alternative.

Website transparency of dermatology residency programs: a cross-sectional study.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the dermatology residency application process rapidly transitioned in a number of dimensions. As in-person activities were canceled and USMLE Step 1 has become pass/fail, there have been several proposed changes to enhance the process, including a push for increased transparency. Given than most dermatology applicants use program websites to learn more about potential residency programs, we conducted a cross-sectional study to quantify how transparent dermatology residency program website were, relative to published guidelines. From February 11, 2022, to February 25, 2022, we examined the available websites of all ACGME-accredited dermatology residencies to determine transparency regarding information dissemination, selection criteria, interview process, program priorities, and program requirements and opportunities. 136 out of 143 dermatology programs (95.1%) were included. Overall, programs were most transparent with program requirements and opportunities (87.25%). This included information on hospital locations, subspecialty clinics, and rotation/call/didactic schedules. Programs were least transparent with sharing their selection and/or exclusion criteria (31.13%) and varied in how much information they shared about the interview process (39.34%), as well as program priorities (64.56%). Opportunities remain for dermatology programs to improve website transparency and aid applicants in this difficult-to-navigate process. These results identify real transparency gaps, with several potential foci for improvement. Our main study limitation is its focus on a single time-period; to ensure that this information remains up to date, ongoing efforts to periodically resurvey content changes is warranted. Our findings provide an overview of programs' successes and remaining opportunities to follow published transparency guidelines; overall, these findings may guide individual program directors aiming to improve the transparency of their dermatology residency programs and ultimately benefit our future workforce.

A Survey of Pandemic Impacts on Pharmacy Residency Applications, Interviews, and Selection Factors.

Objective. To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pharmacy residency application/interview processes, match rate, and factors influencing match rankings at a single college of pharmacyMethods. In Spring of 2020 and 2021, an anonymous survey of professional year four (PY4) residency applicants at one college of pharmacy was administered. Survey responses were compared to explore trends in showcase participation, number/type/geographic dispersion of applications submitted, interview invitations, grade point average (GPA), research experience, and match rate. A thematic analysis evaluated common factors influencing match rankings.Results. Responses were collected from 75 of 99 (75.8%) residency-seeking students in 2020 and 79 of 94 (84.0%) in 2021. Students in 2021 reported applying to a higher median number of programs, with no significant differences in mean reported number of interview invitations or match rate. The virtual ASHP Midyear Showcase led to a median reported savings of $1,000 with no significant impact on perceived value. Virtual interviews led to a median reported savings of $430. Thematic analysis revealed feel/culture, location, and learning experience options as the most prevalent deciding factors for match rankings in both years.Conclusion. The pandemic led to an increase in the number of residency applications per student and yielded a net cost savings. There were no differences in number of interviews offered, match rate, or in deciding factors influencing match rankings. As the pandemic evolves, schools should maintain a flexible and dynamic approach to support students.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Surgical Training and Education.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted conventional medical education for surgical trainees with respect to clinical training, didactics, and research. While the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgical trainees were variable, some common themes are identifiable. As hordes of COVID-19 patients entered hospitals, many surgical trainees stepped away from their curricula and were redeployed to other hospital units to care for COVID-19 patients. Moreover, the need for social distancing limited traditional educational activities. Regarding clinical training, some trainees demonstrated reduced case logs and decreased surgical confidence. For residents, fellows, and medical students alike, most didactic education transitioned to virtual platforms, leading to an increase in remote educational resources and an increased emphasis on surgical simulation. Resident research productivity initially declined, although the onset of virtual conferences provided new opportunities for trainees to present their work. Finally, the pandemic was associated with increased anxiety, depression, and substance use for some trainees. Ultimately, we are still growing our understanding of how the COVID-19 pandemic has redefined surgical training and how to best implement the lessons we have learned.

The Association Between Virtual Interviewing and Geographical Distribution of Matched Residency Programs for General Surgery Applicants.

OBJECTIVE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coalition for Physician Accountability's work group on Medical Students in the class of 2021 made the recommendation in May of 2020 that the upcoming residency recruitment cycle be conducted virtually. This flexibility may have allowed applicants to apply and interview at programs with less regard to geography, knowing that travel costs of interviewing would not be a factor. Alternatively, applicants who interviewed virtually could choose to remain in a close proximity to their home institutions where they likely have a greater comfort level and familiarity with the community both personally and professionally. We examine the distribution of applicants matched at general surgery residency programs in 2021 to those in 2020 to see if there was a change in geographic variability. DESIGN: Retrospective review of general surgery residents SETTING: United States general surgery residency programs PARTICIPANTS: 2153 PGY1 categorical general surgery residents who were interviewed virtually and PGY2 categorical general surgery residents who interviewed in-person, who also attended residency programs and medical schools located in the continental United States with publicly accessible residency websites containing necessary biographical information. RESULTS: A total of 2153 residents were included; 1124 in their PGY1 and 1029 in their PGY2. Average distance from attended medical school to matched program (634.2 vs 662.5), percentage of matched programs within 500 miles of attended medical school (57.3 vs 55.7), average price of flight, when available, from attended medical school to matched program (222.8 vs 230.4), and percentage of attended medical schools with non-stop flight to matched program (42.9 vs 42.9) did not significantly differ between PGY1 and PGY2 residents. CONCLUSIONS: The decision to adopt virtual interviewing practices compared to previous in-person interviews did not significantly alter the geographical distribution of students' matched programs. The distance from medical school to the matched program, flight availability, and flight pricing remained comparable between residents interviewed in-person and residents interviewed virtually.

Evaluating COVID-19's impact on the training of residents at the University of Antioquia from January to June 2020

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aca-demic development of residents in medical and surgical specialties at the University of Antioquia through an online survey. Method(s): Observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study involving a survey distributed to medical residents. Result(s): The survey was completed by 156 residents. They all had electronic devices and the means necessary to carry out virtual activities. Almost half of the participants (47.4%) lived with people who were considered high-risk for COVID-19. Of those surveyed, 30.1% felt discriminated against for being healthcare workers. Even though 81.4% of participants were satisfied with the theoretical training, only 55.1% were satisfied with the practical training. The most detrimental impact was the risk of contracting COVID-19, which was reported by 61% of participants. On average, residents were absent for 31 days. The 52% of residents participated in telehealth activities, and 97.5% participated in virtual activities. Discussion(s): The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the training of residents. This study quantified a decrease of in-person educational activities including practical activities and an increase in virtual methods of education and communication. The pandemic has forced educational ins-titutions to transform the way they teach in order to follow public health measures. Copyright © 2023 Universidad de Antioquia.

Ohio Physicians' Retrospective Pre-Post COVID-19 Pandemic Reports of Burnout and Well-Being

This cross-sectional, retrospective, pre-post repeated measures study aimed to describe Ohio physicians' burnout and mental health experiences as perceived prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A one-time online survey was completed by 1,613 physicians registered with the State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO). Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to assess differences between physicians' self-reports of burnout and mental health prior to and during the pandemic. Mann-Whitney U tests examined response differences between physicians and residents. Data revealed statistically significant differences between physicians' pre-pandemic and pandemic experiences for all measures of burnout and mental health (p < 0.001) with moderate effect sizes for feeling emotionally drained from work (Z = -16.71, r = 0.43);feeling down, depressed, or hopeless (Z = -18.09, r = 0.46);feeling less accomplished (Z = -11.03, r = 0.29);and caring less about what happens to patients (Z = -12.04, r = 0.31). Small effect sizes were found for thoughts of suicide and concerns about one's substance use. Additionally, resident physicians were more likely than physicians to report many burnout and mental health concerns prior to and during the pandemic, although these effect sizes were small. These findings can inform stakeholders' efforts toward the prevention and reduction of physician burnout and improvement of well-being. Copyright 2022 Federation of State Medical Boards. All Rights Reserved.

How do emergency medicine applicants evaluate residency programs in the post-COVID-19 era?

Objectives: Pandemic disruptions to interviews and away rotations led applicants to rely on alternative sources of information about residency programs. We sought to compare program characteristics important to emergency medicine (EM)-bound applicants from before and after the pandemic. We also investigated the sources of information pandemic impacted applicants used during residency recruitment. Methods: This was a multi-institutional, cross-sectional survey of applicants to EM residency programs. We asked applicants about important factors in choosing a program and compared their response to results from 2019 National Residency Match Program. We also asked about alternative information sources used during this time of restricted access to programs of interest. Results: We surveyed 414 applicants from 40 medical schools and attained a response rate of 38.4%. Compared to 2019 applicants, our respondents identified morale of residents and quality of faculty as important factors in choosing a residency. Our subjects cited websites of the program and hospital affiliate, current residents, faculty/mentor advice, Reddit, and Doximity as sources of program information. Conclusions: Compared to 2019, our EM-bound applicants who, because of the pandemic, were unable to visit programs of interest valued resident morale and faculty quality as factors in choosing a residency program. Without in-person visits, our subjects also had to use both virtual resources (e.g., websites) and traditional sources (e.g., mentor advice) to investigate a program's culture, reputation, and diversity and inclusion. Residency programs should monitor their online presence now that this has become an alternative source of information for applicants during curtailment of in-person visits.

[Peruvian Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residents' perception about their medical residency during the COVID-19 pandemic]. / Percepción de residentes de Medicina Física y Rehabilitación del Perú sobre su residencia médica durante la pandemia por COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected medical residency (MR) programs worldwide. However, few reports have focused on the MR of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). Therefore, our objective was to describe the perceptions of PM&R residents in Peru about their MR during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study. During June 2021, we sought to address all PM&R residents in Peru, using a virtual, anonymous and voluntary survey of 13 questions elaborated in Google Forms, which addressed their perception of RM. RESULTS: Of 142 PM&R residents in Peru, 60 (42.3%) responded to the survey. Among these, 21.7% considered that their residency training site (RTS) met little or nothing with the minimum requirements to be one, 50% that their RTS cared little or notthing for him/her since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, 35% that the physicians attending their RTS cared little or nothing about academics, and 71.7% that the lack of subspecialist physicians in PM&R greatly affects their training. In addition, 71.7% and 81.7% reported having learned little or nothing about musculoskeletal ultrasound and electrodiagnostic studies, respectively. Finally, 18.3% reported regretting to have chosen the specialty. CONCLUSIONS: We found an important negative perception about MR and a low self-perception of having learned about musculoskeletal ultrasound and electrodiagnostic studies. It is important to delve into the causes and look for alternatives to improve the training of PM&R residents.

Virtual interviews for admission to health care residency programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. / Entrevistas virtuales para el ingreso a residencias de profesionales de la salud durante la pandemia por COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic forced residency programs to adapt their selection processes. Our objective was to describe the experience of virtual interviews conducted to select residents through applicants' perception. POPULATION AND METHODS: An electronic questionnaire was sent to health care residency applicants after their interviews conducted in 2020. RESULTS: Two-hundred and twenty-one questionnaires were collected and the average distance to the facility was 163 km. Also, 67.9% of the applicants used a personal computer, 98.2% felt that they were treated appropriately, 77.8% were able to state their ideas, and 12.2% reported technical difficulties. In addition, 32.6% said that they would prefer virtual interviews for future selection processes and 17.6%, that it would be irrelevant. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual interviews allowed the resident selection process to be completed; one third of applicants would prefer virtual interviews in the future and there were no apparent technological limitations.

Introducción. La pandemia por COVID-19 obligó a los sistemas de residencias a adaptar sus procesos de selección. Nuestro objetivo fue describir la experiencia de virtualización de las entrevistas de selección de residentes a través de la percepción de las personas aspirantes. Población y métodos. Se envió un cuestionario electrónico a las personas aspirantes de residencias para profesionales de la salud luego de las entrevistas en 2020. Resultados. Se obtuvieron 221 respuestas y la distancia promedio a la institución fue 163 km. El 67,9 % de los aspirantes utilizaron computadora personal; el 98,2 % percibió un trato apropiado; el 77,8 % pudo expresar sus ideas, y el 12,2 % manifestó dificultades técnicas. El 32,6 % refirió que, para próximos procesos de selección, preferiría entrevistas virtuales y al 17,6 % le sería indistinto. Conclusiones. Las entrevistas virtuales permitieron completar el proceso de selección de residentes; un tercio preferiría entrevistas virtuales en el futuro y no hubo limitaciones tecnológicas evidentes.

Highlights From the Residents’ Journal: June 2022

The article discusses the use of Modafinil and its potential use in the treatment of long Covid fatigue.