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. 2021 Mar 5;5(2):zraa051.
doi: 10.1093/bjsopen/zraa051.

Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) crisis on surgical training: global survey and a proposed framework for recovery

Research Education INnovation in Surgery (REINS) initiative COVID-19 group; M Yiasemidou  1 , J Tomlinson  2 , I Chetter  3 , Chandra Shekhar Biyani  4
Affiliations

Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) crisis on surgical training: global survey and a proposed framework for recovery

Research Education INnovation in Surgery (REINS) initiative COVID-19 group et al. BJS Open. .

Erratum in

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic had a profound impact on surgical services, potentially having a detrimental impact on training opportunities. The aim of this global survey was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on surgical training and to develop a framework for recovery.

Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted. This was designed by a steering committee of medical educationalists and validated by a group of trainees before dissemination.

Results: A total of 608 responses were obtained from 34 countries and 15 specialties. The results demonstrated major disruption in all aspects of training. The impact was greatest for conferences (525 of 608) and hands-on courses (517 of 608), but less for inpatient care-related training (268 of 608). European trainees were significantly more likely to experience direct training disruption than trainees in Asia (odds ratio 0.15) or Australia (OR 0.10) (χ2 = 87.162, P < 0.001). Alternative training resources (webinars, 359 of 608; educational videos, 234 of 608) have emerged, although trainees expressed some dissatisfaction with them. The collective responses generated a four-pillar framework for training recovery that involved: guidance from training stakeholders with the involvement of trainees; prioritization of training, especially the roles of senior surgeons/trainers; provision of access to alternative/new teaching methods; and measures to address trainee anxiety.

Conclusion: Training has been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The introduction of new teaching methods and a focus on training after the pandemic are imperative.

Antecedentes: La pandemia por SARS-Cov-2 tuvo un impacto profundo en los servicios de cirugía, lo que podría causar un efecto perjudicial en las oportunidades de formación. El objetivo de esta encuesta global fue evaluar el impacto de la crisis de la COVID-19 en el entrenamiento quirúrgico y desarrollar un marco para la recuperación.

Métodos: Se realizó una encuesta transversal por Internet, la cual fue diseñada por un comité directivo de educadores médicos y validada por un grupo de profesionales en periodo de formación antes de su difusión.

Resultados: Se obtuvieron 608 respuestas de 34 países y 15 especialidades. Los resultados demostraron importantes interrupciones en todos los aspectos del entrenamiento. El impacto fue mayor para las conferencias (525/608) y los cursos prácticos (517/608), pero menor para la formación relacionada con la atención hospitalaria (268/608). Los profesionales en periodo de formación europeos fueron significativamente más propensos a experimentar interrupciones directas en el entrenamiento que los de Asia (odds ratio 0.15) o Australia (OR 0.10) (χ2 = 87.162, P < 0.001). Han surgido recursos de formación alternativos (seminarios web: 359/608, videos educativos: 234/608), aunque los alumnos expresaron cierta insatisfacción con ellos. Las respuestas colectivas generaron un marco de cinco pilares para la recuperación de la formación que implicaron: priorización del alumno y seguridad pública; orientación de las partes interesadas en la formación con la participación de los alumnos; priorización de la formación, especialmente de las funciones de los cirujanos senior/ profesores; facilitación de acceso a métodos y medidas de enseñanza nuevos o alternativos para abordar la ansiedad de los alumnos.

Conclusión: La formación se ha visto muy afectada. Es imperativo introducir nuevos métodos de enseñanza y poner énfasis en la formación después de la pandemia.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on aspects of surgical training
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Percentage of respondents reporting a high impact of COVID-19 pandemic on operating room training by continent n.a., Not available.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Indirect effect of COVID-19 pandemic training a Other aspects of training affected, b redeployment destinations, c skills gained during redeployment, and d other resources used for teaching. DNAR, do not attempt resuscitation.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Factors affecting provision of training and future of surgical training a Factors affecting traditional training, b challenges faced using new learning methods, c ways of mitigating negative effect on training, and d aspects of service delivery and e new learning methods to be kept in place after the pandemic. PPE, personal protective equipment.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
New teaching resources used during COVID-19 pandemic a Resources introduced for teaching and b satisfaction with new teaching resources (1, not satisfied at all; 5, very satisfied).
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Recovery plan flow chart
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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