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Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to marked changes in surgical training, including that of plastic surgery residents. We performed a survey to gain an insight into the self-reported current and future impact of COVID-19 on plastic surgery residents. Methods: A 20-point questionnaire was designed by a panel of surgical trainees and trainers, which was filled in by Belgian plastic surgery residents and their international network of peers between 19 and 26 April 2020—week 6 of stringent Belgian lockdown measures. Questions covered the impact of COVID-19 on surgical activity, surgical training, and the future of training. Results: Thirty-five of 38 plastic surgery residents in Belgium filled in the questionnaire, as did 51 of their international peers from 9 other countries. Decreased surgical activity of >75% was reported by 86% of Belgian trainees and by 73% of international colleagues. All consultations were stopped for 26% of Belgian trainees and 37% of international peers. Forty-six percents of Belgian trainees and 27% of international peers were reassigned to different departments. Eighty-five percent of all trainees felt surgical training had suffered, yet 54% of Belgian residents and 39% of international peers felt training should not be prolonged. Anxiety regarding the pandemic was present in 54% of Belgian residents and 69% of international colleagues. Conclusions: This is the first report, expressing the voice of a representative group of plastic surgery residents, showing a significant impact of COVID-19 on training and activity. A joint effort is needed to provide continued forms of education by virtual education and skills-based learning.

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Assessing the skillset of surgeons facing the COVID-19 pandemicEditor Hospitals around the world took measures to absorb the potential and actual influx of patients due to COVID-19 by reducing surgical activity and maintaining surgical emergencies [1][2][3] . Surgeons are at the forefront of disaster management, but the pandemic requires primarily medical and intensive care 4,5 . As such, we may find ourselves out of our comfort zone when tasked with dealing with COVID-19 patients 5 . A survey undertaken on 23 March 2020 involved 63 surgeons and residents (Table 1). More than half answered negatively to questions relating to ICU skills other than their ability to ventilate using a balloon. More positive answers were given to questions pertaining to general medical skills and triage. Knowledge Table 1 Skillset of surgeons facing the COVID-19 pandemic No. of surgeons with skill (n = 63) General medical Knowledge of personal protective equipment? 45 (71) Do you know how to place an infusion? 56 (89) Can you interpret an arterial blood gas (arterial blood gas analyser or gasometry)? 45 (71)