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. 2021 Jul-Aug;47(4):753-776.
doi: 10.1590/S1677-5538.IBJU.2021.99.09.

Impact of COVID-19 on education, health and lifestyle behaviour of Brazilian urology residents

José Antonio Prezotti  1 , João Victor T Henriques  1 , Luciano A Favorito  2 , Alfredo F Canalini  3 , Marcos G Machado  1 , Thulio B V Brandão  1 , Akemi M V Barbosa  1 , Julyana K M Moromizato  1 , Karin M J Anzolch  4 , Roni de C Fernandes  5 , Fransber R A Rodrigues  6 , Carlos H S Bellucci  1 , Caroline S Silva  7 , Antonio Carlos L Pompeo  8 , Jose de Bessa Jr  7 , Cristiano M Gomes  1
Affiliations

Impact of COVID-19 on education, health and lifestyle behaviour of Brazilian urology residents

José Antonio Prezotti et al. Int Braz J Urol. 2021 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on clinical and surgical practice, educational activities, health and lifestyle behavior of Brazilian urology residents.

Materials and methods: A web-based survey was sent to 468 Brazilian urology residents from postgraduate years (PGY) 3 to 5 to collect data on clinical practice and training after 4 months of COVID-19. We also assessed health-related and behavior changes, rate of infection by SARS-CoV-2, deployment to the front line of COVID-19, residents' concerns, and access to personal protective equipment (PPE).

Results: Massive reductions in elective and emergency patient consultations, diagnostic procedures and surgeries were reported across the country, affecting PGY 3 to 5 alike. Most in-person educational activities were abolished. The median damage to the urological training expected for 2020 was 6.0 [3.4 -7.7], on a scale from 0 to 10, with senior residents estimating a greater damage (P < 0.001). Educational interventions developed included online case-based discussions, subspeciality conferences and lectures, and grand rounds. Most senior residents favored extending residency to compensate for training loss and most younger residents favored no additional training (p< 0.001). Modifications in health and lifestyle included weight gain (43.8%), reduced physical activity (68.6%), increased alcoholic intake (44.9%) and cigarette consumption (53.6%), worsening of sexual life (25.2%) and feelings of sadness or depression (48,2%). Almost half were summoned to work on the COVID-19 front-line and 24.4% had COVID-19. Most residents had inadequate training to deal with COVID-19 patients and most reported a shortage of PPE. Residents' concerns included the risk of contaminating family members, being away from residency program, developing severe COVID-19 and overloading colleagues.

Conclusions: COVID-19 had a massive impact in Brazilian urology residents´ training, health and lifestyle behavior, which may reflect what happened in other medical specialties. Studies should confirm these findings to help developing strategies to mitigate residents' losses.

Keywords: COVID-19; Education, Medical; Surveys and Questionnaires.

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Conflict of interest statement

None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. a) Damage to urological learning in 2020 as estimated by residents from postgraduate years 3, 4 and 5 and b) Percentage of residents from postgraduate years 3, 4 and 5 who favor extending the residency program
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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