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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Surgical Training and Learner Well-Being: Report of a Survey of General Surgery and Other Surgical Specialty Educators.
Ellison, E Christopher; Spanknebel, Kathryn; Stain, Steven C; Shabahang, Mohsen M; Matthews, Jeffrey B; Debas, Haile T; Nagler, Alisa; Blair, Patrice Gabler; Eberlein, Timothy J; Farmer, Diana L; Sloane, Richard; Britt, L D; Sachdeva, Ajit K.
  • Ellison EC; Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Columbus, OH. Electronic address: ellison.2@osu.edu.
  • Spanknebel K; Department of Surgery, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY.
  • Stain SC; Department of Surgery, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY.
  • Shabahang MM; Geisinger Health System, Danville, PA.
  • Matthews JB; Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
  • Debas HT; Department of Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.
  • Nagler A; Division of Education, American College of Surgeons, Chicago, IL.
  • Blair PG; Division of Education, American College of Surgeons, Chicago, IL.
  • Eberlein TJ; Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO.
  • Farmer DL; Department of Surgery, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA.
  • Sloane R; Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University, Durham, NC.
  • Britt LD; Department of Surgery, Eastern Virginia University, Norfolk, VA.
  • Sachdeva AK; Division of Education, American College of Surgeons, Chicago, IL.
J Am Coll Surg ; 231(6): 613-626, 2020 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-753355
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the delivery of surgical services. The purpose of this communication was to report the impact of the pandemic on surgical training and learner well-being and to document adaptations made by surgery departments. STUDY

DESIGN:

A 37-item survey was distributed to educational leaders in general surgery and other surgical specialty training programs. It included both closed- and open-ended questions and the self-reported stages of GME during the COVID-19 pandemic, as defined by the ACGME. Statistical associations for items with stage were assessed using categorical analysis.

RESULTS:

The response rate was 21% (472 of 2,196). US stage distribution (n = 447) was as follows stage 1, 22%; stage 2, 48%; and stage 3, 30%. Impact on clinical education significantly increased by stage, with severe reductions in nonemergency operations (73% and 86% vs 98%) and emergency operations (8% and 16% vs 34%). Variable effects were reported on minimal expected case numbers across all stages. Reductions were reported in outpatient experience (83%), in-hospital experience (70%), and outside rotations (57%). Increases in ICU rotations were reported with advancing stage (7% and 13% vs 37%). Severity of impact on didactic education increased with stage (14% and 30% vs 46%). Virtual conferences were adopted by 97% across all stages. Severity of impact on learner well-being increased by stage-physical safety (6% and 9% vs 31%), physical health (0% and 7% vs 17%), and emotional health (11% and 24% vs 42%). Regardless of stage, most but not all made adaptations to support trainees' well-being.

CONCLUSIONS:

The pandemic adversely impacted surgical training and the well-being of learners across all surgical specialties proportional to increasing ACGME stage. There is a need to develop education disaster plans to support technical competency and learner well-being. Careful assessment for program advancement will also be necessary. The experience during this pandemic shows that virtual learning and telemedicine will have a considerable impact on the future of surgical education.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Specialties, Surgical / Students / Health Status / Education, Medical, Graduate / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: J Am Coll Surg Journal subject: Gynecology / Obstetrics Year: 2020 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Specialties, Surgical / Students / Health Status / Education, Medical, Graduate / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: J Am Coll Surg Journal subject: Gynecology / Obstetrics Year: 2020 Document Type: Article