The impact of COVID-19 on surgical training, education and burnout among different surgical specialties in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Background: The loss of normalcy during the COVID-19 pandemic affected operation services in health facilities, leading to a reduction in the number of elective surgeries. The pandemic-related modifications in surgical residency programs gave rise to a chance to investigate effective learning strategies that help reduce burnout. Objectives: To investigate the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on general surgeons' burnout, surgical education and training in the Qassim Region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved general surgery doctors in the hospitals of the Qassim region in Saudi Arabia. Results: The COVID-19 patient care had a detrimental effect on the role of examining patients on rounds among females (adjOR = 0.260, 95%CI 0.084-0.809;p = 0.020) and males (adjOR = 0.426, 95% CI 0.232-0.780;p = 0.006). COVID-19 patient care had a negative impact on the number of days off in a month among females (adjOR = 0.159, 95% CI 0.029-0.875;p = 0.035). Equally, COVID-19 patient care had a negative impact on meeting ACGME's minimum requirements (adjOR = 0.163, 95% CI 0.042-0.634;p = 0.009) as noted by the specialist. Lastly, COVID-19 patient care had a negative impact as expressed by the specialist who was concerned the pandemic had made one less prepared for the future (adjOR = 0.074, 95% CI 0.007-0.739;p = 0.027). Conclusions: COVID-19 patient care had a negative relationship with the operation volume on the role of examining patients on rounds, the likelihood of not meeting the ACGME's minimum requirements and burnout concerns. The specialist is more concerned with matters regarding meeting the ACGMEs and burnout concerns which would make the general surgery doctors less prepared for the future.