Impact of COVID on Transplant Professionalism

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Although, much has been written about COVID risk and immunization efficacy in transplant recipients, there is little data on the impact of COVID on transplant professionalism. Method(s) A survey about the impact of COVID on professional development was sent to transplant providers. There were 138 responses (10% response rate) with equal representation from transplant nephrologists, pulmonologists, surgeons, cardiologists and advanced practice providers. Responses were evenly divided between gender and across regions of the US. Result(s) 75% of respondents reported that COVID has had a negative impact on their own education with the primary reasons given being 'virtual fatigue' and not taking time off to attend virtual meetings leading to lack of engagement. 40% of respondents reported that staffing shortages made it difficult to attend virtual meetings. When asked about any positive impact of COVID on their education 43% said the ability to view sessions on their own time without travel requirements was positive. The impact of COVID on fellows' education was seen with reduced disease specific education due to focus on COVID and reduced fellow time on the wards (55% & 48% respectively).74% of respondents reported a negative impact on their professional relationships within their own center. The primary reasons were physical and emotional fatigue (43%) and staffing shortages (37%). The inability to socialize outside the work setting also had a significant impact. Fortunately, few had family or colleagues ill with COVID, but 3 reported death of co-workers or family members. Though most reported no positive impact on their work relationships (62%), "bunker mentality" and increased patience with colleagues were reported by 35%. 64% of respondents reported fatigue and lack of opportunity to see colleagues outside their own institution as a negative impact on those relationships. 76% described no positive impact on those relationships. 60% of respondents related a negative impact on their own research as there was no time to focus on research and/or most non-COVID research stopped, leading to lack of connection with research colleagues. 81% of respondents reported 'burnout' and 18% reported Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD). When asked what the most significant impact of COVD on professionalism the overwhelming responses were emotional and physical fatigue and isolation from colleagues. The emotional stress of family and colleagues ill and sometimes dying from COVID takes a toll. Conclusion(s) In summary, in addition to the stress and physical toll the pandemic created for health care providers, transplant professionals reported a loss of ability to advance the field of transplantation due to the inability to attend professional meetings, participate in transplant-related research, and network with colleagues on topics other than COVID related care.