The Impact of COVID-19 on Plastic Surgery Training in the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia-A Cross-Sectional Study

Impact of COVID-19 on cataract surgical competency of ophthalmology residents

CONTEXT

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to a decrease in elective surgeries.

PURPOSE

To compare the performance of postgraduate year 4 prepandemic (2018-2019) and pandemic (2021-2022) ophthalmology residents.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

This was an observational comparative study conducted at a university-based hospital.

METHODS

Ophthalmology residents of postgraduate year 4 during prepandemic (2018-2019) and pandemic (2021-2022) time periods were included. The performances of residents in phacoemulsification were scored by a single faculty assessor using the International Council of Ophthalmology's Ophthalmology Surgical Competency Assessment Rubric for phacoemulsification (ICO-OSCAR: phaco). The scores were compared between the two groups.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

The comparisons between the pre- and post-pandemic groups were performed using the Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

Seventy-one surgeries were rated in each group. All task-specific and global scores of the pandemic group were lower than those of the prepandemic group (all P values < 0.001). The maximum intergroup difference was in capsulorrhexis circular completion (difference of 1.21 score, P < 0.001) and tissue handling (difference of 1.21 score, P < 0.001) among task-specific and global scores, respectively. The residents of the two groups had the highest similarity in irrigation and aspiration (difference of 0.61 score, P < 0.001) from task-specific scores and central eye position from global scores (difference of 0.93 score, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the surgical competency of ophthalmology residents in phacoemulsification.

Peripheral nerve surgical competency in plastic surgery and neurosurgery residents

OBJECTIVE

To assess the case volume and self-perceived competence of current mandatory skills in peripheral nerve surgery.

DESIGN

Cross sectional survey based study examining case volume and self-reported competence in peripheral nerve surgery.

SETTING

Canadian Neurosurgery and Plastic Surgery accredited residency programs PARTICIPANTS: All Canadian Neurosurgery and Plastic Surgery senior trainees (PGY 3+) invited to participate RESULTS: Much variability exists in both exposure to cases and perceived senior resident competence for both plastic and neurosurgery residents. Confidence in surgical ability as perceived competency is lower in trainees for more advanced peripheral nerve procedures. Self- reported confidence increased with post-graduate experience.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the findings in this study highlight the importance of increasing operative experience in complex peripheral nerve surgery among surgical residents.