PURPOSE The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected clinical practice in oncology, leading to organizational, ethical, and medical issues. In particular, it has raised challenges in the context of competing care priorities between COVID-19 and cancer treatment. Residents on the front line face difficulties related to increasing care needs and urgent reorganization of health care systems while managing psychological stress and uncertainty. We aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on oncology residents. METHODS AND MATERIALS We conducted a national survey (39 questions) in France among oncology and radiation therapy residents to determine the psychological impact and professional difficulties (eg, reassignment, training/research time, supervision, teleworking, management of patients) associated with the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS Overall, 222 residents (medical oncologists, 61%; radiation therapists, 39%) participated in our survey, representing approximately one third of all residents and fellows in France. One third of respondents had been reassigned to a COVID-19 ward. Training and research activity decreased for 89% and 41% of respondents, respectively. Two thirds (70%) of respondents declared that they had faced ethical issues, 35% felt worried about their own health, and 23% experienced psychological distress. According to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, 32% were anxious and 17% depressed. Consumption of tobacco, psychostimulants, and alcohol increased in 31%, 24%, and 29% of respondents, respectively. CONCLUSION French oncology residents were highly affected by the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of professional activity and psychological impact. This national survey can be used as a basis for improved management, medical reorganization, and training of residents during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic deeply impacted clinical practices in oncology leading to organizational, ethical, and medical issues. It has raised challenges in a context of competing care priorities between COVID-19 and cancer treatment. Residents and fellows were in the front line and had to face difficulties related to increasing care needs and urgent reorganization of the health care system while managing stress and uncertainty. Methods: We conducted a national survey (39 questions) in France among all oncology and radiation therapy residents to describe psychological impact and difficulties encountered by residents (i.e., reassignment, training/research time, supervision, teleworking, management of patients) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Overall, 222 residents (oncologists: 61% and radiation therapists: 39%) participated in our survey (representing around one third of all residents and fellows in France). Reassignment in COVID-19 wards involved 32% of respondents. Training and research activity were decreased for 89% and 41% of respondents, respectively. 70% have been confronted with ethical issues, 35% felt worried about their health, and 23% experienced psychological distress. According to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, 32% were anxious and 17% depressive. Consumption of tobacco, psychostimulants, and alcohol was increased in 45%, 40%, and 24%, respectively. Conclusion: French oncology residents were highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of training and emotions. This national survey can be used as a basis for improved management, medical reorganization, and training of residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially when further waves are not excluded. Citation Format: Marc Hilmi, Alice Boilève, Anabelle Ducousso, Morgan Michalet, Anthony Turpin, Cindy Neuzillet, Natacha Naoun. Professional and psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic on medical and radiation oncology residents: Results of a national survey [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Meeting: COVID-19 and Cancer; 2020 Jul 20-22. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2020;26(18_Suppl):Abstract nr PO-033.