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. 2020 Nov 3:14:3755-3761.
doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S283073. eCollection 2020.

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

Adel Salah Alahmadi  1   2 , Hatlan M Alhatlan  3 , Halah Bin Helayel  4 , Rajiv Khandekar  4 , Ahmed Al Habash  5 , Sami Al-Shahwan  6   7
Affiliations

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

Adel Salah Alahmadi et al. Clin Ophthalmol. .

Abstract

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.

Keywords: COVID-19; Residency training program; Saudi Arabia; curriculum; medical education; mental health; ophthalmology training; outbreak.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest for this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on ophthalmology residents’ mental health (n=108).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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