Impact of COVID-19 on Canadian Radiology Residency Training Programs

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Paediatrics Training in a Regional Victorian Hospital

Aim

To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on the clinical training of paediatric trainees during the pandemic at a regional hospital in Victoria, Australia.

Methods

In response to a survey and feedback from paediatric trainees, a retrospective analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical staff attendance at onsite training in the Department of Paediatrics at a regional hospital in Victoria. The study spanned from January 2019 to December 2021. Variables collected included the number of participants attending the paediatric clinical and education meetings. A comparative analysis of attendance during the pre-COVID-19 year (2019) and the COVID-19 years (2020-2021) was conducted.

Results

The total number of meetings held was 292 in 2019, which declined to 184 in 2020 and further declined to 171 in 2021, with a minimal increase in existing virtual meetings. The total attendance in paediatric clinical meetings dropped from 2190 attendees in 2019 to 1332 in 2020, and further declined to 1230 in 2021. Paediatric registrar attendance was 477 in 2019, which decreased by 29.35% to 330 in 2020 and further decreased by 38.57% to 293 in 2021. Paediatric hospital medical officer attendance showed the worst trend among paediatric trainees, with 445 attending clinical meetings in 2019 and decreasing by 50.78% to 219 in 2020 and a 52.58% decrease to 211 in 2021.

Conclusion

The sudden outbreak of COVID-19 led to significant disruptions in medical education globally. This study showed a noticeable reduction in paediatric departmental clinical meetings and teaching sessions during the pandemic, as well as a significant decline in attendance by paediatric trainees and medical students. These findings confirm the experiences of paediatric trainees, who reported losing valuable teaching opportunities due to the pandemic and a demand for attention.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Radiology Department Employees and Trainees in Al-Qassim, 2021

Objectives This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on radiology department employees and trainees. It also compared the impact of COVID-19 to the pre-COVID-19 era in the Al-Qassim region. Methods This was a quantitative observational analytical cross-sectional study conducted in the largest government hospitals under the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Al-Qassim. A pre-determined questionnaire was distributed among radiology staff that included demographic characteristics, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among radiology staff, the behavior of staff related to COVID-19 infection, and the assessment of mental health using the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9). Results Eighty-four radiology staff were recruited (64.3% males vs 35.7% females). Of these, 66.7% were trainees and the rest were employees (33.3%). Of the trainees, 32.1% and 42.9% thought that elective imaging, procedures, and outpatient/clinic exposures were reduced during the pandemic, and 37.5% indicated that their training had been affected negatively. The prevalence of depression among radiology staff was 36.9%. The prevalence of depression was substantially higher among radiology trainees (p=0.038), those who were not infected with COVID-16 (p=0.041), and those who indicated that their studying time increased at the time of the pandemic (p=0.047). However, after conducting multivariate regression analysis, these variables did not seem to have significantly affected depression (p>0.05). Conclusion Training and medical education have been affected negatively because of the outbreak. Studying time and research activities of employees and trainees slowed down, which could be critical to their careers. Trainees complained about the significant reduction in their exposure to clinics and imaging procedures. Therefore, a method to safeguard the well-being of employees and trainees in the radiology department is necessary to limit the impact of such pandemics.

The importance of educational tools and a new software solution for visualizing and quantifying report correction in radiology training

A novel software, DiffTool, was developed in-house to keep track of changes made by board-certified radiologists to preliminary reports created by residents and evaluate its impact on radiological hands-on training. Before (t0) and after (t2-4) the deployment of the software, 18 residents (median age: 29 years; 33% female) completed a standardized questionnaire on professional training. At t2-4 the participants were also requested to respond to three additional questions to evaluate the software. Responses were recorded via a six-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("strongly agree") to 6 ("strongly disagree"). Prior to the release of the software, 39% (7/18) of the residents strongly agreed with the statement that they manually tracked changes made by board-certified radiologists to each of their radiological reports while 61% were less inclined to agree with that statement. At t2-4, 61% (11/18) stated that they used DiffTool to track differences. Furthermore, we observed an increase from 33% (6/18) to 44% (8/18) of residents who agreed to the statement "I profit from every corrected report". The DiffTool was well accepted among residents with a regular user base of 72% (13/18), while 78% (14/18) considered it a relevant improvement to their training. The results of this study demonstrate the importance of providing a time-efficient way to analyze changes made to preliminary reports as an additive for professional training.

Education and Training Adaptations for Health Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review of Lessons Learned and Innovations

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has considerably impacted the clinical education and training of health workers globally, causing severe disruptions to learning environments in healthcare facilities and limiting the acquisition of new clinical skills. Consequently, urgent adaptation measures, including simulation training and e-learning, have been implemented to mitigate the adverse effects of clinical education. This scoping review aims to assess the impact of COVID-19 on medical education and training, examine the implemented adaptation measures, and evaluate their effectiveness in improving health workers' education and training during the pandemic. Methods: Employing the PRISMA-ScR framework and Arksey and O'Malley's methodological guidance, we conducted a scoping review, systematically searching PubMed, medRxiv, Google, and DuckDuckGo databases to account for the grey literature. The search included studies published between 1 December 2019 and 13 October 2021, yielding 10,323 results. Of these, 88 studies focused on health worker education and training during the pandemic. Results: Our review incorporated 31,268 participants, including physicians, medical trainees, nurses, paramedics, students, and health educators. Most studies (71/88, 81%) were conducted in high-income and lower-middle-income countries. The pandemic's effects on health workers' clinical skills and abilities have necessitated training period extensions in some cases. We identified several positive outcomes from the implementation of simulation training and e-learning as adaptation strategies, such as enhanced technical and clinical performance, increased confidence and comfort, and an expanded global educational outreach. Conclusions: Despite challenges like insufficient practical experience, limited interpersonal interaction opportunities, and internet connectivity issues, simulation training, e-learning, and virtual training have proven effective in improving clinical education and training during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further research is required to bolster preparedness for future pandemics or similar situations.

A Review of COVID-19's Impact on Radiology Residents' Academics and Wellness in North America

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruptions in radiology departments throughout North America. Radiology residency programs were forced to make dramatic changes to their training programs, which had major impacts on resident academics and wellness. The goal of this review is to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on radiology residents' academics and wellness in North America, while also identifying effective measures taken by programs to mitigate the effects of the pandemic.

METHODS

The search strategy involved database search via PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science with specific key words related to COVID-19, radiology residents, education, wellness, and virtual learning. Studies discussing the education and wellness of radiology residents in North America published after 2020 were included. The data were analyzed using a narrative synthesis approach.

RESULTS

The three main domains affected by the pandemic include the residency curriculum, research, and resident wellness. The decline in case volume and diversity of cases had negative overall impact on education of radiology residents, but simulated cases and virtual learning proved its value during the pandemic and may have lasting implications for the postpandemic world. Research initiatives transitioned to a remote format with greater emphasis on quality improvement and COVID-19-related studies. Reduced face-to-face interaction opportunities made it difficult to establish strong and meaningful interpersonal connections and had a negative impact on resident wellness, mentorship, and professional development. Implementing mentorship programs and virtual "town hall meetings" were effective measures to maintain connections during times of social distancing. Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic introduced unprecedented stressors and challenges for radiology residents that negatively impacted their mental health and wellness. Incorporating wellness initiatives such as wellness hours and team-building activities and using social media were helpful in promoting wellness and mental health for radiology residents.

CONCLUSION

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the academics and wellness of radiology residents across North America but has taught us many lessons that can help us navigate the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, the postpandemic world, and future pandemics.

Impact of COVID-19 on pediatric emergency fellowship training in Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVES

To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the academic and clinical processes of pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) fellowship training held by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS).

METHODS

A cross-sectional, nationwide, survey-based study was conducted between June and December 2020. PEM program directors as well as fellowship trainees were eligible. The collected data were under the following domains: (1) sociodemographic and work-related characteristics; (2) impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient flow and PEM procedures; (3) impact on emergency skills and competence; (4) impact on academic performance; and (5) attitudes toward PEM practice and potential solutions. Monthly reports of PEM visits and procedures were also collected from program directors.

RESULTS

A total of 11 PEM program directors and 42 fellows responded. During the pandemic, the number of total ED visits decreased by 70.1%, ED inpatient admissions fell by 57.3%, and the number of intraosseous need insertion and lumbar puncture procedures fell by 76.7% and 62.3%, respectively; the temporal differences in the median frequencies were statistically significant. The pandemic has influenced the knowledge acquisition and leadership skills of one-third of program directors (36.4% and 27.3%, respectively) and the skills and competence of fellows (31.0%). The majority of directors and fellows showed that online classes/webinars were useful (100% and 95.2%, respectively), and there was no need to extend the current fellowship training to compensate for learning deficits (62.7% and 78.6%, respectively). The importance of dedicated modalities to fill in the training gap increased by 62.5% of program directors and 35.7% of fellows.

CONCLUSION

The COVID-19 pandemic had significant effects on clinical procedures and academic activities in the PEM fellowship program. The impact was consistently perceived across PEM program directors and fellows. Technology-driven solutions are warranted to mitigate the expected learning and clinical deficits due to reduced clinical exposure.

Residents' Report of COVID-19 Associated Training Disruptions, Stressors, and Opportunities During the Pandemic-The Singapore Experience

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted residency training. Several studies have been performed to investigate the impact of the pandemic on residency training in Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-International (ACGME-I)-accredited institutions. However, these were either limited to certain specialties or failed to consider possible opportunities from the pandemic.

Objective

To determine the stressors on residents as well as the opportunities that arose from the COVID-19 pandemic across multiple specialities in Singapore.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey among SingHealth residents was conducted between July and September 2020. The survey assessed the balance between service and training during hospital postings, the pandemic's influence on examination and teaching, the psychological impact of the pandemic, the level of burnout, and the effect on morale of residents during the pandemic.

Results

The response rate was 27.1% (253 of 934). Out of the 253 residents, 136 (53.8%) felt stressed during the pandemic. Concerns about family's health and safety pertaining to potential COVID-19 infection, progression in training, and completion of examinations were the top 3 stressors. One-hundred and three residents (40.7%) had their training disrupted either by being placed in an interim posting not part of their residency requirements or being deployed to care for patients with COVID-19. Although administrative support and information for virtual teaching were sufficient, only 108 (42.7%) agreed it had the same value as face-to-face sessions. Despite the challenges, 179 (70.8%) thought that experiencing this crisis provided more meaning in their career.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about challenges and learning opportunities for residents.

Factors Associated with Intention to Resign among Medical Residents during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan: A Cross-sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly affected healthcare workers' mental health worldwide, leading to the intention to resign. Japanese medical residents were no exception to the impact of COVID-19. This study aimed to illustrate how the COVID-19 pandemic affected medical residents' intention to resign.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted for Postgraduate Year (PGY)1-5 medical residents in Japan using an internet survey from March 11 to March 18, 2021. During this survey, the Japanese government declared a second-time state of emergency on January 7, 2021, and all restrictions were expanded nationwide until March 21, 2021. Medical residents were categorized into two groups (intention to resign group [IR] or no intention to resign group [NIR]) based on their intention to resign. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to elucidate the risk factors for the intention to resign.

RESULTS

354 medical residents were enrolled in this study (response rate: 40.2%). Ninety-two medical residents (26.0 %) were categorized into IR and 262 (74.0%) into NIR. According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, those who did not have mental support at their hospital had 2.95 times greater chance of intending to resign (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.42-6.15]). Medical residents who engaged in patients with COVID-19 (AOR = 2.13, 95% Cl [1.08-4.18]) and PGY5 (AOR = 3.38, 95% Cl [1.51-7.56]) had a higher likelihood of intending to resign among residents in all PGY.

CONCLUSIONS

One in four medical residents intended to resign during the COVID-19 pandemic. Particularly, PGY5 and medical residents who treated patients with COVID-19 were found at risk of having the intention to resign. At times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 epidemic, establishing a mental health support system that targets high-risk residents is critical.

Teaching with Technology-Matching Pedagogy with Purpose in Radiology Education

The response to pandemic-related teaching disruption has revealed dynamic levels of learning and teaching flexibility and rapid technology adoption of radiology educators and trainees. Shutdowns and distancing requirements accelerated the adoption of technology as an educational tool, in some instances supplanting in-person education entirely. Despite the limitations of remote interaction, many educational advantages were recognized that can be leveraged in developing distance learning paradigms. The specific strategies employed should match modern learning science, enabling both students and educators to mutually grow as lifelong learners. As panel members of the "COVID: Faculty perspective" Task Force of the Association of University Radiologists Radiology Research Alliance, we present a review of key learning principles which educators can use to identify techniques that enhance resident learning and present an organized framework for applying technology-aided techniques aligned with modern learning principles. Our aim is to facilitate the purposeful integration of learning tools into the training environment by matching these tools to established educational frameworks. With these frameworks in mind, radiology educators have the opportunity to re-think the balance between traditional curricular design and modern digital teaching tools and models.

Current Status of Burnout in Canadian Radiology

Burnout is a healthcare concern affecting physicians around the world. Physicians experiencing burnout tend to display signs of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment. Ongoing burnout trends have posed numerous challenges to Canadian physicians, notwithstanding the added complexity of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact in recent years. In particular, Canadian radiologists frequently reported experiencing high rates of burnout. This review aims to examine prominent factors affecting burnout in Canadian radiologists and summarize the impact of recent trends. In doing so, the overall wellbeing of Canadian radiologists can be assessed, and strategies for improvement can be discussed as the Canadian healthcare system prepares for new challenges of increasing demand and pressures.

Radiology Training Program Lessons Learned During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic had major effects on radiology training programs throughout the country. Many of the challenges were shared, with some variation depending on the size and geographic location of each program. While some initial modifications, such as platoon-type scheduling and redeployment, have been abandoned, other changes such as home workstations and the option of remote conferences have become more permanently incorporated. Remote learning tools and virtual teaching are much more frequently used, although there is emphasis by many programs on preserving in-person training. Programs stressed the importance of communication and adaptability, and getting resident and faculty input is key in optimizing the educational experience.

The satisfaction with radiology residency training in China: results of a nationwide survey

BACKGROUND

National data on the satisfaction of radiology residents enrolled in standardized residency training (SRT) are rather scarce in China. This study identified a set of potential factors concerning SRT satisfaction among radiology residents as well as the association between SRT satisfaction and post-competency and well-being.

METHODS

A total of 3666 radiology residents who were receiving SRT during 2020 in China were recruited across all 31 provinces. The cumulative odds logistic regression was used to examine the potential factors associated with SRT satisfaction as well as associations between satisfaction and well-being, burnout, professional identity and competency.

RESULTS

The prevalence of satisfaction with SRT was 68.6%. Participants who were male, worked in central China, aged more than 28 years old, had long working hours and claimed increased workload during the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely to be unsatisfied with the SRT program. Participants who were more satisfied with the radiation protection were more likely to report higher degree of SRT satisfaction (OR = 3.00, 95% CI 2.58-3.50). In addition, SRT satisfaction was positively associated with well-being, professional identity, competency and lower burnout.

CONCLUSIONS

Perceived satisfaction can be introduced into hospital management, as it may reflect the overall situation of the residents during residency training and influence radiologists' well-being, professional identification and competency. Appropriate measures should be taken to reduce the risk of radiation exposure, ensure employee safety (such as risk assessment system and paid time off), provide radiology residents with fair treatment and guarantee the time out of working for optimizing their professional ability.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Iranian Psychiatric Trainees' and Early Career Psychiatrists' Well-being, Work Conditions, and Education

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychiatric trainees and early career psychiatrists in Iran.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional survey, the authors used a 24-item questionnaire inquiring about the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants, their views on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their professional careers, methods of education, workplace environment, well-being and mental health, and the use of telepsychiatry in Iran.

RESULTS

A total of 159 responses were received. The majority (n=124, 78.0%) reported that "some but not all obligatory activities have been converted to online activities." Most of the participants (n=103, 64.8%) stated that the pandemic had not affected the duration of their training. Less than half (n=61, 38.4%) reported that their well-being had been affected rather negatively. Some (n=59, 37.1%) reported that their supervisors or coworkers had no significant impact on their well-being, whereas others (n=53, 33.3%) reported a rather positive impact. Almost half of the participants (n=78, 49.0%) did not have access to free psychological counseling. In addition, more than half (n=89, 56.0%) reported that there were no recommendations on how to proceed with telepsychiatry.

CONCLUSIONS

This study calls for improvements in the education and well-being of psychiatric trainees and early career psychiatrists in Iran amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional research should be carried out to maximize learning, provide mental health care, and use telepsychiatry.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Trends in Cardiothoracic Imaging

Introduction

Here, we evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on utilization of cardiothoracic imaging studies.

Methods

We queried our radiology record system to retrospectively identify numbers of specific key cardiothoracic imaging studies for five years prior and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate changes in the number of exams in 2020 and 2021 compared to 2019.

Results

Five-year retrospective analysis demonstrated progressive increases in nearly all cross-sectional studies. In 2020, daily chest radiograph utilization decreased with an overall number of daily radiographs of 406 (SD = 73.1) compared to 480 per day in 2019 (SD = 82.6) (p < 0.0001). Portable radiograph utilization was increased in 2020 averaging 320 (SD = 68.2) films daily in 2020 compared to 266 (SD = 29.1) in 2019 (p < 0.0001). Utilization of thoracic CT was decreased during the pandemic, with 21.8 (SD = 12.9) studies daily compared to 52.0 (SD = 21.4) (p < 0.0001) studies daily in 2019. Cardiac imaging utilization was also substantially decreased in 2020 compared to 2019, averaging a total of 3.8 (SD = 3.2) versus 10.8 (SD = 6.6) studies daily and 0.88 (SD = 1.7) versus 2.5 (SD = 2.3) studies daily for CT and MRI, respectively. Evaluation of cardiothoracic imaging for the subsequent 18 months after New York's entry to phase I recovery in June 2020 demonstrated that by one year after the emergence of COVID-19 imaging utilization had recovered to prepandemic levels. Cardiac imaging continued to increase throughout the chronic phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching almost twice the prepandemic levels by the end of 2021.

Conclusion

COVID-19 has had far-reaching effects on medicine and public health. Here, we demonstrate decreases in all cross-sectional cardiothoracic imaging studies, closely mirroring findings in other fields during the height of the pandemic, which have since rebounded.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19 at Case Hospital, Uganda

Data on clinical outcomes of patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in private health facilities in Uganda is scarce. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at Case Hospital, Kampala, Uganda, between June 2020 and September 2021. Data of 160 participants (median age 45 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 37–57) and 63.5% male) was analyzed. Seventy-seven (48.1%) participants had non-severe, 18 (11.3%) severe, and 83 (51.9%) critical COVID-19 illness. In 62 participants with chest computed tomography findings, 54 (87%) had bilateral disease, with 22 (35%) having ground-glass opacities. The median duration of hospitalization was 5 days (IQR: 3–9 days). Overall, 18 (11.3%) participants died. Survival at 14 and 28 days was 89% and 72%, respectively. Factors strongly associated with all-cause mortality were as follows: age >50 years (odds ratio [OR]: 8.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1–69.2, and p=0.042), having at least 1 comorbidity (OR: 3.2, 95% CI: 1.1–8.9, and p=0.029), hypertension (OR: 3.2, 95% CI: 1.2–8.6, and p=0.024), diabetes mellitus (OR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.0–8.5, andp=0.056), and oxygen saturation <92% (OR: 5.1, 95% CI: 1.8–14.4, and p=0.002). In this private health facility, mortality was about 1 in 10 patients, and more people presented with critical illness in the second wave of the pandemic, and most deaths occurred after 2 weeks of hospitalization.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Radiology Resident Education: Where Do We Go From Here?

The Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused a dramatic shift in radiology resident education. Primarily, physical distancing prompted a general transition to virtual learning. Common changes made by radiology residency programs included virtual rounds and readouts, the use of simulation technology, and case-based learning which utilized pedagogical approaches such as the flipped classroom for teaching residents. Virtual learning appears to be a suitable alternative to traditional, in-person learning, and may have a place post-pandemic as part of a blended curriculum with in-person and virtual components. The extent of disruption to radiology resident education varied based on the local impact of COVID-19 and the prevalence of redeployment, as did residents’ mental health and wellbeing. Accessibility of mental health resources for residents was highlighted as an issue that programs need to address during these difficult times. Moreover, the pandemic resulted in unavoidable reductions in procedural exposure which programs mitigated through the use of simulation technologies and virtual learning resources. Professional development activities such as mentorship and career planning were also dramatically impacted by the pandemic and remains a challenge that programs need to consider moving forward post-pandemic. The purpose of this review is to outline the changes made to radiology resident education as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and suggest what changes may be worthwhile to continue.

Remote Reading and Teaching of Nuclear Medicine in the Era of COVID-19

Community SARS-CoV-2 has profoundly affected traditional elements of learning and teaching in nuclear medicine and diagnostic radiology departments. The response of the nuclear medicine community to the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic can be described in 3 phases: accommodation, consolidation and optimization, and a return towards normalcy. Adoption of virtual communication platforms has emerged as the crucial interim tool for preservation of trainee supervision and diagnostic imaging education. Development of supplemental teaching materials, refocusing research interests, and relaxation of requirements have all contributed toward stabilization of the residency programs. As we embark on a gradual return to normalcy, many of the virtual solutions that were employed have gained a degree of enduring popularity and may find a place in the postpandemic period.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Ophthalmology Resident Perceptions of Clinical Experience, Surgical Training, and Personal Life

Objective The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected multiple areas of health care, including residency training programs. Elucidating the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on resident clinical experience, surgical training, and wellness is essential to identify areas in which programs can provide additional educational and personal resources to trainees. This study aims to evaluate the experiences of ophthalmology residents during the pandemic.

Design The design is a cross-sectional, nonvalidated survey study. The survey was administered online with data collection from August 22 to August 31, 2020.

Participants Applicants to the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute ophthalmology residency program during the 2016 to 2019 application cycles were invited to complete the survey to encompass trainees currently in ophthalmology residency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants who were not training at an ophthalmology residency program during the pandemic were excluded.

Methods This study involved eliciting feedback from ophthalmology residents on the perceived impact of COVID-19 on their residency experiences through survey questions.

Main Outcome Measures Perceived didactic, clinical, surgical, and overall experiences of residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, effect on cataract and noncataract surgical case volume, and perceived effects on resident personal life.

Results Responses were obtained from 357 (22.8%) individuals, 193 of which met inclusion criteria (59.1% male, 54.9% aged 30–34). Most participants reported overall worsening of their ophthalmology training experience due to COVID-19 (75.1%), with worsening of clinical training reported by 72.5% of participants and worsening of surgical training reported by 89.1% of participants. There were no significant differences in the perception of the impact of COVID-19 on overall training experience, clinical training experience, or surgical training experience among geographic regions (p = 0.43, p = 0.23, p = 0.27, respectively). A higher percentage of post-graduate year 3 (PGY3) and PGY4 trainees reported worsened clinical (p = 0.003) or surgical (p = 0.03) experience compared with PGY2 trainees. Participants also reported impact on personal life including time spent away from family (52.9%), worsened friendships with co-residents (29.5%), forced changes in living situation (15.0%), and increased expenses (13.5%).

Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has substantially impacted clinical and surgical experience of ophthalmology residents, who also report personal stressors due to the pandemic. Identifying alterations in the ophthalmology residency experience is essential to provide additional resources to support ophthalmology trainees professionally and personally during this time.

What is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on residency training: a systematic review and analysis

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has greatly affected medical education in addition to clinical systems. Residency training has probably been the most affected aspect of medical education during the pandemic, and research on this topic is crucial for educators and clinical teachers. The aim of this study was to understand the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic comprehensively through a systematic review and analysis of related published articles.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted based on a predesigned protocol. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE databases until November 30, 2020, for eligible articles. Two independent reviewers extracted data by using a customized form to record crucial information, and any conflicts between the two reviewers were resolved through discussion with another independent reviewer. The aggregated data were summarized and analyzed.

RESULTS

In total, 53 original articles that investigated the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on residency training were included. Studies from various regions were included in the research, with the largest percentage from the United States (n = 25, 47.2%). Most of these original articles were questionnaire-based studies (n = 44, 83%), and the research target groups included residents (79.55%), program directors (13.64%), or both (6.82%). The majority of the articles (n = 37, 84.0%) were published in countries severely affected by the pandemic. Surgery (n = 36, 67.92%) was the most commonly studied field.

CONCLUSIONS

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected residency training globally, particularly surgical and interventional medical fields. Decreased clinical experience, reduced case volume, and disrupted education activities are major concerns. Further studies should be conducted with a focus on the learning outcomes of residency training during the pandemic and the effectiveness of assisted teaching methods.

Mosaic mentoring: finding the right mentor for the issue at hand

Mentoring has a vital role throughout the medical profession. Over the past few years, mentoring has become an area of focus as being an important aspect of radiologists’ career starting from the early trainee level. A variety of mentorship strategies have come to the forefront, allowing many avenues for those seeking to engage in mentorship as either a mentee or mentor. Mosaic mentoring is a new approach that emphasizes utilizing a collection of mentorship approaches to maximize outcomes based on individual and/or domain-specific needs. The purpose of our paper is to provide a brief overview of a variety of mentorship models while introducing the concept of mosaic mentoring and exploring how it can benefit radiologists throughout their career.

Physician Perspectives on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Family-Centered Rounds

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has required modifications to family-centered rounds (FCR), although the specific changes and the effects on patients, families, and providers are not well known. In this study, we explore physician perspectives on changes made to FCR during the initial wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and recommendations for the future.

METHODS

Semistructured individual interviews were conducted with 20 pediatric attending and resident physicians who cared for hospitalized patients between March and May 2020 on pediatric hospital medicine and subspecialty services that typically perform FCR. Transcripts were reviewed by using principles of framework analysis to iteratively develop a codebook. Review of coded segments, with attention to code co-occurrences, was used to clarify themes in the data relating to the research objective and the conceptual framework.

RESULTS

The rounding format changed for all providers and varied on the basis of clinical service and phase of the pandemic. Themes highlighted specific areas of change: (1) the process of FCR, (2) reaching consensus with families, (3) collaboration with members of the medical team, and (4) resident education, modeling, and supervision. Participants offered recommendations, including standardization of rounds, intentional involvement of nursing staff, and inclusion of families through virtual or small-group bedside rounds.

CONCLUSIONS

The pandemic led to a variety of modifications to FCR, and these changes had varied effects on communication and education. These findings provide insight into the state of FCR during the pandemic and may frame future recommendations for the development of shared guidelines for circumstances requiring limited bedside rounding.

Pediatric Residency Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had profound effects on society and, in particular, on many aspects of medical care. Residency training programs are often integral parts of our medical community and consequently have experienced changes in structure, format, and content. The conversion to virtual or online learning has been nearly universal. Decreases in common pediatric diagnoses such as respiratory syncytial virus and asthma have led to less first-hand experience for residents. Limitations designed to minimize the spread of COVID-19, such as use of personal protective equipment and group size limits, have led to fewer clinic rotations, fewer clinic sessions, and fewer patient experiences. Infections of residents themselves have led to an increase in back-up call system usage and a strain on staffing. Mandatory limits on group gatherings have also impaired camaraderie and the overall well-being of trainees. [Pediatr Ann. 2021;50(12):e509-e514.].

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on radiology education, training, and practice: A narrative review

Radiology education and training is of paramount clinical importance given the prominence of medical imaging utilization in effective clinical practice. The incorporation of basic radiology in the medical curriculum has continued to evolve, focusing on teaching image interpretation skills, the appropriate ordering of radiological investigations, judicious use of ionizing radiation, and providing exposure to interventional radiology. Advancements in radiology have been driven by the digital revolution, which has, in turn, had a positive impact on radiology education and training. Upon the advent of the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many training institutions and hospitals adhered to directives which advised rescheduling of non-urgent outpatient appointments. This inevitably impacted the workflow of the radiology department, which resulted in the reduction of clinical in-person case reviews and consultations, as well as in-person teaching sessions. Several medical schools and research centers completely suspended face-to-face academic activity. This led to challenges for medical teachers to complete the radiology syllabus while ensuring that teaching activities continued safely and effectively. As a result, online teaching platforms have virtually replaced didactic face-to-face lectures. Radiology educators also sought other strategies to incorporate interactive teaching sessions while adopting the e-learning approach, as they were cognizant of the limitations that this may have on students’ clinical expertise. Migration to online methods to review live cases, journal clubs, simulation-based training, clinical interaction, and radiology examination protocolling are a few examples of successfully addressing the limitations in reduced clinical exposure. In this review paper, we discuss (1) The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on radiology education, training, and practice; (2) Challenges and strategies involved in delivering online radiology education for undergraduates and postgraduates during the COVID-19 pandemic; and (3) Difference between the implementation of radiology education during the COVID-19 pandemic and pre-COVID-19 era.

Virtual educational meetings and activities during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: Egyptian oncologists' experience

The COVID-19 pandemic has had ramifications for most healthcare activities, including medical education and communication aspects. Virtual educational meetings and activities (VEMAs) have been utilised tremendously in the pandemic era, reflecting a transition to new horizons of cyberspace. This creates the need to explore possible challenges for the implementation of such services in the rapidly evolving field of oncology. The aim of our study is to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on VEMAs in the oncology community in Egypt. It focused on the evaluation of current attitudes, satisfaction and expectations of Egyptian oncologists during and beyond the COVID-19 era. The study is a cross-sectional study using a survey that was distributed through social media. It targeted Egyptian oncologists during the months of May and June 2020. A total of 118 participants completed the survey and most of them were younger than 35 years (71%). Most participants (93.2%) agreed that COVID-19 affected the stream of live medical educational meetings. About three-quarters of them attended VEMAs during the COVID-19 period compared to 50% prior to the pandemic. The majority reported that evening hours after 8 PM was the best time to attend VEMAs and 1 hour is the optimal duration for a virtual meeting. Although the COVID-19 pandemic appeared as an unprecedented challenge for medical education, it can be a catalyst for VEMAs, especially in a rapidly evolving field such as oncology. Further research is needed to assess whether learners are ready and willing to make greater use of online educational platforms and investigate the possible barriers and strategies to enhance their use.

Sleep Quality and Mood State in Resident Physicians during COVID-19 Pandemic

Since the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has spread worldwide, healthcare workers—resident physicians in particular—have been hugely involved in facing the COVID-19 pandemic, experiencing unprecedented challenges in fighting the disease. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of poor sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and alterations in mood state profiles in this category. This cross-sectional study, conducted in 2020, enrolled 119 subjects from a university hospital in southern Italy. Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaires were administered to physicians divided into four areas: anesthesiology, medicine, service, and surgery. In the overall sample, approximately 45% reported poor sleep quality, although only nine subjects (8%) reported an ESS score that suggested excessive daytime sleepiness. Alterations in mood profiles were also observed; the Vigor and Fatigue factors were the most altered. In particular, anesthesiologists seem to be the most affected category, showing a profound decrease in Vigor with a concomitant increase in Fatigue. Considering the possible consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, preventive measures should be adopted, especially those aimed at facilitating a better turnover of physicians, optimizing the working schedule, and improving the organization of work.

A Tale of Two Cities: Residents' Operative Experience in the United Kingdom and Germany During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a detrimental effect on residents’ operative training. Our aim was to identify the proportion of procedures performed by residents across 2 neurosurgical centers (1 in the United Kingdom and 1 in Germany) during the pandemic-affected months of March 2020–May 2020, inclusive, compared with March 2019–May 2019, inclusive.

Methods

All neurosurgical procedures performed at the United Kingdom and German institutions, between March 1, 2019 and May 31, 2019 (pre-COVID months) and March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020 (COVID months), were extracted and operative notes evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed on SPSS version 22.

Results

There was a statistically significant reduction in operative volume in the United Kingdom center from the pre-COVID months to the COVID months (χ²(5) = 84.917; P < 0.001) but no significant difference in the operative volume in the German center (P = 0.61). A Mann-Whitney U test showed a statistically significant difference in the volume of residents operating in the COVID months compared with pre-COVID months in both United Kingdom and German centers (P < 0.001). The average number of procedures performed by residents in the United Kingdom center as the primary surgeon decreased from 82 to 72 per month (pre-COVID vs. COVID months), whereas German residents’ operating volume increased from 68 to 89 per month (pre-COVID vs. COVID months).

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly reduced the volume of operating by neurosurgical residents in the United Kingdom center, whereas residents in the German center performed more procedures compared with 2019. This finding may reflect variations in national practice on maintaining surgical activities and provision of critical care beds during the first wave of the pandemic.

Teaching and Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Topic Modeling Study

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused significant disruption to teaching and learning activities at all levels. Faculty, students, institutions, and parents have had to rapidly adapt and adopt measures to make the best use of available resources, tools and teaching strategies. While much of the online teaching pedagogies have been theoretically and practically explored to a limited extent, the scale at which these were deployed was unprecedented. This has led a large number of researchers to share challenges, solutions and knowledge gleaned during this period. The main aim of this work was to thematically model the literature related to teaching and learning during, and about, COVID-19. Abstracts and metadata of literature were extracted from Scopus, and topic modeling was used to identify the key research themes. The research encompassed diverse scientific disciplines, including social sciences, computer science, and life sciences, as well as learnings in support systems, including libraries, information technology, and mental health. The following six key themes were identified: (i) the impact of COVID-19 on higher education institutions, and challenges faced by these institutions; (ii) the use of various tools and teaching strategies employed by these institutions; (iii) the teaching and learning experience of schools and school teachers; (iv) the impact of COVID-19 on the training of healthcare workers; (v) the learnings about COVID-19, and treatment strategies from patients; and (vi) the mental health of students as a result of COVID-19 and e-learning. Regardless of the key themes, what stood out was the inequities in education as a result of the digital divide. This has had a huge impact not only in middle- and low-income nations, but also in several parts of the developed world. Several important lessons have been learned, which, no doubt, will be actively incorporated into teaching and learning practices and teacher training. Nonetheless, the full effect of these unprecedented educational adaptions on basic education, expert training, and mental health of all stakeholders is yet to be fully fathomed.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Training and Well-Being in Radiology Residency: A National Survey of Diagnostic Radiology Trainees in Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVES

To understand and report the perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on radiology residents in Saudi Arabia with respect to their education, clinical activities, and personal well-being.

METHODS

The survey questionnaire was designed by a team of experts based on a review of the literature and was distributed electronically through the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties to residents registered in all radiology residency training programs in Saudi Arabia during the academic year 2019 to 2020. Categorical variables were presented as counts and percentage. Numerical variables were presented as mean and standard deviation if normally distributed. Chi-square testing was used to compare categorical variables with the perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Spearman correlation was used to correlate numerical variables at the level of significance p-value < 0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 109 residents completed the online survey during the study period, with a response rate of 32.2% (109/337). The mean age was 27.3 years (standard deviation, 1.86). The majority of respondents (71.5%, 78/109) reported either a severe or moderate negative impact on educational activities. Also, the majority (73.4%, 80/109) reported either a minimal or moderate negative impact on clinical activities. Residents training in the western province perceived a statistically higher negative impact on educational activities compared to their peers in other regions (p = 0.01). Residents in their second year of residency training perceived a statistically higher negative impact on their participation in clinical activities (p = 0.014). Less than half of the respondents (45.9%, 50/109) reported that they were redeployed to work in another department. The majority (80%, 40/50) reported a negative impact on their well-being.

CONCLUSION

The majority of radiology residents in Saudi Arabia reported a negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their education, clinical activities, and personal well-being. Our study also identified and explored some of the innovative solutions and strategies implemented by the training programs and the SCFHS to mitigate the negative effects on trainees.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the selection of chest imaging modalities and reporting systems: a survey of Italian radiologists

PURPOSE

Chest imaging modalities play a key role for the management of patient with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Unfortunately, there is no consensus on the optimal chest imaging approach in the evaluation of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, and radiology departments tend to use different approaches. Thus, the main objective of this survey was to assess how chest imaging modalities have been used during the different phases of the first COVID-19 wave in Italy, and which diagnostic technique and reporting system would have been preferred based on the experience gained during the pandemic.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The questionnaire of the survey consisted of 26 questions. The link to participate in the survey was sent to all members of the Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology (SIRM).

RESULTS

The survey gathered responses from 716 SIRM members. The most notable result was that the most used and preferred chest imaging modality to assess/exclude/monitor COVID-19 pneumonia during the different phases of the first COVID-19 wave was computed tomography (51.8% to 77.1% of participants). Additionally, while the narrative report was the most used reporting system (55.6% of respondents), one-third of participants would have preferred to utilize structured reporting systems.

CONCLUSION

This survey shows that the participants' responses did not properly align with the imaging guidelines for managing COVID-19 that have been made by several scientific, including SIRM. Therefore, there is a need for continuing education to keep radiologists up to date and aware of the advantages and limitations of the chest imaging modalities and reporting systems.

Perceptions of Saudi Plastic Surgery Residents and Attendings of Online Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND

The world has faced an unprecedented challenge in controlling the spread of COVID-19-a rapid reshaping of the healthcare system and education was inevitable. Consequently, residency programs adopted e-learning as a social distancing tool for the continuity of the learning process. In this study, we explore the opinions and perspectives of plastic surgery attending doctors and residents on the implications of e-learning.

METHODS

After obtaining ethical approval, this cross-sectional study was conducted electronically between October and December 2020 among plastic surgery residents and board-certified plastic surgeons in Saudi Arabia. Participants completed a validated, anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire gathered participants' demographic data, perceptions of online webinars, and audiovisual evaluations. Finally, we compared traditional (in-person) teaching with online webinars. The analysis was performed at a 95% confidence interval using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 23.0 (IBM, Armonk, N.Y.).

RESULTS

A total of 61 responses were included in this study. The majority of respondents (78.7%) were comfortable during webinars, with 38 (62.3%) believing they should supplement traditional teaching methods. Overall, 50.8% were satisfied with the webinars. However, 37.7% were neutral. Most believed that the webinars increased their clinical (67.2%) and surgical skills (67.2%) to reasonable levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Online education provided an excellent educational tool as a viable option to supplement traditional face-to-face training, with most residents being satisfied, supporting the use of this educational tool. More objective research is required to refine existing online plastic surgery teaching methods while creating novel distance e-learning approaches for the future.

Internal Medicine Clerkship Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Clinical Learning Experience of Undergraduate Medical Students at Makerere University, Uganda

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to impose a significant impact on medical education. We aimed to describe the clinical learning experience of undergraduate medical students undertaking internal medicine clerkship during the COVID-19 pandemic at Makerere University, Uganda.

METHODS

A descriptive, cross-sectional study among medical students in clinical years of study pursuing the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery undergraduate degree program was conducted in November 2020. Only 3rd (junior clerks) and 5th (senior clerks) year medical students whose internal medicine clerkships were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic were studied.

RESULTS

Data of 188 (95%) eligible clinical year students; junior (101, 54.0%) and senior (86, 46.0%) were analysed. Median age was 24 (range: 22-42) years. Majority (70.1%) were male and Ugandan nationals (94.1%). Sixty-four (30.3%) students reported inadequate personal protective equipment, 152 (81.7%) felt at risk of contracting COVID-19, and 127 (67.9%) said it was difficult to observe COVID-19 standard operating procedures. Twenty-two students (11.9%) were discouraged from pursuing a career in internal medicine. Overall, most students reported good or excellent clinical experience pre-COVID-19 era compared to during the COVID-19 era (4.0 vs 3.5, p<0.0001). Senior clerks significantly believed that the time allocated for the rotation was adequate (p<0.0001) and they were able to complete their study objectives (p<0.001), compared to the junior clerks. Senior clerks believed that learning was difficult when combined with junior clerks (p=0.013). About half of the students (51.4%, n=95) reported clinical teaching should remain as it was in the pre-COVID-19 era.

CONCLUSION

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significantly negative effect on the clinical learning experience of the students. There is need to review the current teaching and learning methods to suit teaching and learning during pandemics of highly infectious diseases to ensure safe and effective learning experience.

COVID-19 impact on junior doctor education and training: a scoping review

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on healthcare resources and the medical workforce. Clinically-based medical education is the principal source of learning, and this has been profoundly impacted by restrictions due to COVID-19. It follows that junior medical staff and their education would be significantly impacted due to the altered volume and breadth of their clinical exposure. Some literature has been published regarding the impact to medical training during COVID-19. This study sought to review junior medical staff perceptions and their reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their education and training.Nine databases (three Ovid MEDLINE databases, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Educational Resources Information Centre and PsychINFO) were searched for studies published in 1 January 2020 through 24 August 2020. Via a scoping review protocol, an iterative process was used to perform the identification, review and charting analysis of the reported outcomes and themes. Descriptive analysis was performed using quantitative and qualitative methods.Of the 25 343 sources identified, 32 were included in the review. There were studies published from nearly all continents, predominantly in surgical journals, with a wide spread of specialties. Themes identified included the current impact of the pandemic in relation to continuation of and modifications to training programmes, as well as the future impact due to training requirements and career progression.Junior medical staff report that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on their education and training. Whether the changes imposed by the pandemic on education are temporary measures or permanent fixtures, and whether standards of competence may be impacted, is not yet known. This scoping review forms a basis for further investigation in the field.

Experiences and management of physician psychological symptoms during infectious disease outbreaks: a rapid review

BACKGROUND

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, physicians experienced unprecedented levels of burnout. The uncertainty of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic along with increased workload and difficult medical triage decisions may lead to a further decline in physician psychological health.

METHODS

We searched Medline, EMBASE, and PsycINFO for primary research from database inception (Medline [1946], EMBASE [1974], PsycINFO [1806]) to November 17, 2020. Titles and abstracts were screened by one of three reviewers and full-text article screening and data abstraction were conducted independently, and in duplicate, by three reviewers.

RESULTS

From 6223 unique citations, 480 articles were reviewed in full-text, with 193 studies (of 90,499 physicians) included in the final review. Studies reported on physician psychological symptoms and management during seven infectious disease outbreaks (severe acute respiratory syndrome [SARS], three strains of Influenza A virus [H1N1, H5N1, H7N9], Ebola, Middle East respiratory syndrome [MERS], and COVID-19) in 57 countries. Psychological symptoms of anxiety (14.3-92.3%), stress (11.9-93.7%), depression (17-80.5%), post-traumatic stress disorder (13.2-75.2%) and burnout (14.7-76%) were commonly reported among physicians, regardless of infectious disease outbreak or country. Younger, female (vs. male), single (vs. married), early career physicians, and those providing direct care to infected patients were associated with worse psychological symptoms.

INTERPRETATION

Physicians should be aware that psychological symptoms of anxiety, depression, fear and distress are common, manifest differently and self-management strategies to improve psychological well-being exist. Health systems should implement short and long-term psychological supports for physicians caring for patients with COVID-19.

Impact of ophthalmic webinars on the resident's learning experience during COVID-19 pandemic: An insight into its present and future prospects

Purpose:

To analyze the impact of ophthalmic webinars on the resident's learning experience during the COVID-19 pandemic (CP).

Methods:

This cross-sectional nationwide study was carried out for 1 month during CP and included a total of 382 ophthalmic residents. A questionnaire was sent through various social media platforms.

Results:

Residents expressed a decline in their clinical exposure (74%; 220), thesis work (58%; 218), and acquisition of the knowledge and skills (42.5%; 161) during CP. Benefits of webinars as perceived by the residents included gain in additional knowledge (77%; 286), feedback on queries (56%; 209), access to multiple speakers (50%; 191), and topics (30%; 110). Nearly 75% (291) of residents endorsed webinars as good to the very good academic tool, and 54% (202) preferred to continue attending webinars in the post-CP phase. However, connectivity/download/data issues (54%; 200) followed by loss of personal touch (53%; 188), lengthy or irrelevant topic (37%; 134), and poor transmission quality (33%; 121) were major deterrents against the webinar.

Conclusion:

The current study generated overall mixed responses from the ophthalmic postgraduate residents in favor of webinars. In the present format, webinars bear enormous potentials to supplement the traditional learning tools by providing uninterrupted learning experiences. However, they are still limited by their pedagogical and technical issues.

Perception of Neurosurgery Residents and Attendings on Online Webinars During COVID-19 Pandemic and Implications on Future Education

BACKGROUND

Online education has provided an important tool to continue medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study aimed to evaluate trainee and attending perceptions of online webinars as an educational tool in neurosurgery.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional survey study. A web-based 19-question survey was distributed to the people who attended the webinar series that was carried out by the Saudi Association of Neurological Surgery from March 29, 2020 to May 31, 2020. Candidates were identified through their registration e-mails. The survey was distributed June 5-8, 2020.

RESULTS

A total of 156 responses were received (survey response rate: 60%). The overall satisfaction rate among residents and attendings (board-certified neurosurgeons) was similar (>80%). However, only 56.4% of attendings reported they were comfortable with online webinars compared with 81.2% of residents (P value <0.0001). Seventy-five percent of residents found online lectures more useful than traditional in-person lectures compared with 52% of attendings (P value = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Online educational webinars provide an educational value that can be considered as an adjunct to traditional (in-person) education methods. Among trainees, the satisfaction of neurosurgery webinars was encouraging to consider as an education method. More objective research and progress are required to adopt and refine existing online didactic and neurosurgical teaching tools while creating more engaging future distant learning models.

Residents' Perceived Impact of COVID-19 on Saudi Ophthalmology Training Programs-A Survey

PURPOSE

To evaluate the impact of the current pandemic on ophthalmology residency training in Saudi Arabia, focusing on its effects on clinical education, training, and the mental well-being of the trainees.

METHODS

An online self-administered questionnaire was distributed among residents in the Saudi ophthalmology training programs between July 7 and 14, 2020. In this study, we explored residents' opinions regarding training disruption and virtual education. The patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on their mental health. We used descriptive statistics for data analysis.

RESULTS

Out of 183 registered ophthalmology residents, 142 participated in this study. Ninety-six participants (35.4%) were rotated at a specialized eye hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic, while 52 (19.2%) had rotations in the ophthalmology department at general hospitals. Those who rotated in both types of hospitals were 123 (45.4%). According to the participants, there was a significant decline in exposure to surgical and office-based procedures compared to emergency eye consultations (Friedman P <0.001). The COVID-19 pandemic's effect on mental health was reported by 100 (70.5%) participants. Eighty-five (55.4%) respondents were satisfied with the virtual method of education.

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted residents' clinical and surgical training in the Saudi ophthalmology training programs. Additionally, we believe that COVID-19 may have a negative impact on trainees' mental health. Fortunately, the current pandemic provided an innovative education method that will likely be used even after the pandemic.

Managing the pandemic from the radiology department’s point of view

The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing our entire society to adopt numerous changes, at least until an effective treatment and/or vaccine becomes widely available. Because COVID-19 is a new disease that has required us to make complex decisions based on scant evidence, the pandemic is having an enormous impact on our health system.

Radiology departments play a fundamental role in the management of COVID-19, both in the diagnosis of the disease and in the posterior management of patients. To ensure the safety of patients and healthcare professionals, it is essential to understand the infection so that safe circuits can be implemented.

This article summarizes the pathophysiology of COVID-19 infection and explains the measures that radiology departments need to adopt during the pandemic.

Managing the pandemic from the radiology department's point of view

The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing our entire society to adopt numerous changes, at least until an effective treatment and/or vaccine becomes widely available. Because COVID-19 is a new disease that has required us to make complex decisions based on scant evidence, the pandemic is having an enormous impact on our health system. Radiology departments play a fundamental role in the management of COVID-19, both in the diagnosis of the disease and in the posterior management of patients. To ensure the safety of patients and healthcare professionals, it is essential to understand the infection so that safe circuits can be implemented. This article summarizes the pathophysiology of COVID-19 infection and explains the measures that radiology departments need to adopt during the pandemic.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on general surgery residency program in Peru: A cross-sectional study

Background

General surgey is a specialty of high demand and relevance. We aimed to collect the opinions of the residents and their tutors and heads of department, regarding the impact that this COVID-19 pandemic is having - and will probably have - on the training of future general surgeons in Peru.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study in Lima, Peru. We surveyed residents of general surgery, as well as their tutors and heads of surgery departments from 14 Peruvian hospitals.

Results

The impact of COVID-19 was considered severe in approximately 60% of first-year residents, 100% of second-year residents, 40% of third-year residents and about 80% of attending physicians. The 68.8% of the residents considered that the loss of surgical training opportunities during the pandemic would negatively affect their job performance. In addition, as of 03/16/2020, no residents had performed more than 25 elective surgeries, trauma surgeries or laparoscopic procedures. All the participants (including tutors and heads of departments) highlighted the need to extend the residency period.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the training of the general surgery residents. Deficiencies need to be identified in order to evaluate extending the period of the medical residency program in Peru.

Lessons Learned From the Effects of COVID-19 on the Training and Education Workflow of Radiology Residents-A Time for Reflection: Perspectives of Residency Program Directors and Residents in Canada

PURPOSE

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to widespread changes in all health care settings including academic radiology departments. The purpose of this survey-based study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on radiology resident training and education workflow in Canada in terms of the nature, scale, and heterogeneity of the changes, preparedness and adaptation, and perceptions of the present and future of radiology training.

METHODS

A 30-question web-based survey was sent to 17 radiology residency program directors across Canada. A separate 32-question survey was sent to 460 residents currently enrolled in a radiology residency in Canada. These surveys were open for 3 weeks.

RESULTS

We received responses from 16 program directors and 80 residents (response rates 94.1% and 17.4%, respectively). Most respondents agreed that objectives were being met for knowledge and interpretation but less so for case volumes and technical skills. Less time was allotted for on-site activities (eg, readouts) with more time for off-site activities (eg, videoconferencing). Daytime rotations were at least partly cancelled. Most respondents felt these changes were met with enthusiasm by both faculty and residents. However, there were perceived challenges including lack of training on virtual platforms for delivery of teaching and decreased staff-resident interaction, with short- and long-term anxiety reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The coronavirus disease 2019 has dramatically changed radiology resident training in Canada, with increased virtual learning at the expense of cancelled rotations and the resultant reduction in case volumes and staff-resident interaction. Although adopted with enthusiasm, these changes present substantial challenges and anxiety regarding the future of radiology resident education.

Undergraduate Radiology Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review of Teaching and Learning Strategies [Formula: see text]

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has altered how medical education is delivered, worldwide. Didactic sessions have transitioned to electronic/online platforms and clinical teaching opportunities are limited. These changes will affect how radiology is taught to medical students at both the pre-clerkship (ie, year 1 and 2) and clinical (ie, year 3 and 4) levels. In the pre-clerkship learning environment, medical students are typically exposed to radiology through didactic lectures, integrated anatomy laboratories, case-based learning, and ultrasound clinical skills sessions. In the clinical learning environment, medical students primarily shadow radiologists and radiology residents and attend radiology resident teaching sessions. These formats of radiology education, which have been the tenets of the specialty, pose significant challenges during the pandemic. This article reviews how undergraduate radiology education is affected by COVID-19 and explores solutions for teaching and learning based on e-learning and blended learning theory.