Assessing the skillset of surgeons facing the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

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)

Academics in the Pandemic: Early Impact of COVID-19 on Plastic Surgery Training Programs

“…A recent survey of 63 surgeons and residents in the UK revealed more than half of respondents answered negatively when evaluating their own ICU skills. 18 If plastic surgery residents are required to cover medical intensive care units, one might expect a similar lack of confidence.…”

Interprofessional Ambulatory Staff Perceptions of Pandemic Preparedness

“…Because many health care systems focused on the care of patients with COVID-related illness, many other lines of service were minimized (Farid et al, 2020). This created a situation where teams of interprofessional staff were available to staff areas with COVID-19 patients, like intensive care units and outpatient respiratory clinics.…”

Case Report of Two Patients With COVID-19 and Sacral Pressure Injuries Associated with Pyoderma Gangrenosum

“…[1][2][3] The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly impacted individual physical and mental well-being, as well as healthcare and medical training. [4][5][6][7][8][9] Morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 are mainly attributable to acute viral pneumonia that progresses to acute respiratory distress syndrome. The mainstay of treatment of severe disease constitutes prolonged mechanical ventilation in intensive care.…”

“…Since the first reported cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, COVID-19 has spread worldwide 1–3 . The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly impacted individual physical and mental well-being, as well as healthcare and medical training 4–9 . Morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 are mainly attributable to acute viral pneumonia that progresses to acute respiratory distress syndrome.…”