COVID-19 impact on Surgical Training and Recovery Planning (COVID-STAR) - A cross-sectional observational study. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Clements, Joshua Michael; Burke, Josh; Nally, Deirdre; Rabie, Mohamed; Kane, Elizabeth; Barlow, Emma; Mohamed, Walid; King, Martin; McClymont, Liusaidh; George, Manish; Tolofari, Sotonye; McKay, Siobhan; Jayasekera, Ashan; Steele, Duncan; Badran, Abdul; Summers, Dominic; Harji, Deena; Weston-Petrides, Gina; Nasher, Omar; Baker, Benjamin; Patel, Shaneel; Boyapati, Raghuram; Peckham-Cooper, Adam; Bashyam, Anthony; Stovell, Matthew; Zhang, Catherine; Thomas, Rachel; Sarmah, Panchali; Wilkins, Alexander; Dua, Radhika; Gokani, Vimal; Dovell, George; Rintoul-Hoad, Sophie;
• Is Part Of: International journal of surgery. Volume 88(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: Surgical training -- Impact -- COVID-19 -- Pandemic; Surgery -- Periodicals; Surgical Procedures, Operative -- Periodicals; 617.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2021.105903
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-9191

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant changes to healthcare systems which impact the delivery of surgical training. This study aimed to investigate the qualitative impact of COVID-19 on surgical training in the United Kingdom (UK) & Republic of Ireland (ROI) Methods: This national, collaborative, cross-sectional study involving 13 surgical trainee associations distributed a pan-surgical specialty questionnaire on the impact of COVID-19 on surgical training over 4 weeks in May 2020. Various aspects of training were assessed. Results: 810 completed responses were analysed (males = 401, females = 390) from all deaneries and training grades. The perceived negative overall impact of the pandemic on surgical training experience was significant. (Weighted average = 8.66). 41% of respondents (n = 301) were redeployed with 74% redeployed for >4 weeks. Complete loss of training was reported in elective operating (69.5%), outpatient activity (67.3%) and endoscopy (69.5%). A reduction of >50% was reported in emergency operating (48%) and completion of work-based assessments (WBAs) (46%). 3.3% (n = 17) of respondents reported plans to leave medicine altogether. Cancellations in study leave and regional teaching programmes without rescheduling were reported in 72% and 60% of the cohort respectively. Elective operative exposure and WBAs completion were the primary reported factors affecting potential trainee progression. Only 9% of trainees reported that they would definitely meet all required competencies. Conclusion: COVID-19 has had a negative impact on surgical training across all grades and specialties, with implications for trainee progression, recruitment and retention of the surgical workforce. Further investigation of the long-term impact at a national level is required. Highlights: The COVID-STAR study has demonstrated an overall negative immediate impact on surgical training. Redeployment to non-surgical environments was prevalent with limited educational value. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the delivery of surgical services. Virtual education and learning modalities are being used with increasing frequency. COVID-19 has negative implications for recruitment and retention of the surgical workforce.