A Framework for Assuring the Safety, Training, Evaluation, and Wellness of Radiation Oncology Residents During the COVID-19 Pandemic (ASTEROiD-COVID19)

Abstract

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to disrupt nearly all facets of daily life, residency programs must ensure the safety and wellness of their residents while maintaining a commitment to their training and advancement. In addition to standard clinical training, radiation oncology residency programs integrate highly specialized elements specific to the delivery of radiation therapy. Few publications have addressed the significant effects of the pandemic on medical training and even fewer have addressed concerns specific to radiation oncology. We report our experience developing a resident-led adaptation of our training program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic with the aim of assisting other programs to meet this challenge.

Fig. 1

Implementation framework for developing and revising a residency program's pandemic response. These policies were developed by a steering committee consisting of resident representatives and program and department leadership that was maintained for the duration of the pandemic.

Fig. 2

A typical surge-phase weekly schedule outlining resident roles. Roles were assigned to minimize resident exposure to multiple clinical environments.