The impact of COVID-19 related lockdown on ophthalmology training programs in India - Outcomes of a survey

Abstract

Purpose: In 2020, in response to the emergence and global spread of the disease COVID-19, caused by a new variant of coronavirus 2019-nCoV, the government of India ordered a nationwide lockdown for 21 days, which was then extended to a total of over 50 days. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of the lockdown on ophthalmic training programs across India.

Methods: An online survey was sent across to trainee ophthalmologists across India through various social media platforms.

Results: In all, 716 trainees responded; the average age was 29.1 years. Results showed that majority of the respondents were enrolled in residency programs (95.6%; 685/716) and the others were in fellowship programs. About 24.6% (176/716) of the trainees had been deployed on 'COVID-19 screening' duties. Nearly 80.7% (578/716) of the trainees felt that the COVID-19 lockdown had negatively impacted their surgical training. Furthermore, 54.8% (392/716) of the trainees perceived an increase in stress levels during the COVID-19 lockdown and 77.4% (554/716) reported that their family members had expressed an increased concern for their safety and wellbeing since the lockdown began. In all, 75.7% (542/716) of the respondents felt that online classes and webinars were useful during the lockdown period.

Conclusion: Our survey showed that majority ophthalmology trainees across the country felt that the COVID-19 lockdown adversely affected their learning, especially surgical training. While most found online classes and webinars useful, the trainees' perceived stress levels were higher than normal during the lockdown. Training hospitals should take cognizance of this and reassure trainees; formulate guidelines to augment training to compensate for the lost time as well as mitigate the stress levels upon resumption of regular hospital services and training. Going ahead, permanent changes such as virtual classrooms and simulation-based training should be considered.

Keywords: Cataract training; SARS; coronavirus; fellowship; medical education; post-graduation; residency training; resident; simulation; virtual reality.

Figure 1

Graphical representation of the training programs that the trainees are enrolled in and the nature of their parent institutes

Figure 2

Graphical representation of the trainees who had 'COVID-19 duty' and their perceptions about the adequacy of the protective equipment given to them

Figure 3

Graphs depicting how the trainees felt the COVID-19 lockdown affected their surgical training

Figure 4

Graphs depicting how the trainees felt the COVID-19 lockdown affected their classroom/theoretical learning

Figure 5

Graphical representation of the trainees' responses to their well-being and mental stress levels during the lockdown

Figure 6

The trainees' perception regarding their use of the internet for academic purposes and the utility of online webinars and classes

Figure 7

A detailed break-up of the trainees' self-reported daily schedules