Effect of COVID-19 on training and mental health of oral medicine residents in North America

Abstract

Objective To assess resident and faculty perception of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the training experience, education, and psychological well-being of oral medicine (OM) residents. Study Design An anonymous 16-item online questionnaire was e-mailed to faculty and residents of all CODA-accredited OM residency programs in North America. Survey questions quired the pandemic's impact on resident educational, clinical, and research activities, and the well-being of the residents. Survey data was collected using Qualtrics XM, Seattle, U.S. Results Forty participants (52.5% residents and 47.5% faculty members) responded to the survey. Regarding the impact on clinical activities, 67.5% reported 50% or less reduction in patient volume seen by residents at its worst during the pandemic. With respect to educational activities, majority reported a complete switch of didactic training (85.3%), academic examinations (60%), and off-site resident rotations (45%) to a virtual platform. Research activities were impacted the most; 55% reported complete cessation for some time. 33% perceived a negative impact, 18% perceived no impact, 11% perceived a positive impact, and 38% were unsure regarding the impact of COVID-19 on resident morale. Despite the interruptions in the clinical, research, and educational activities, 62.5% expected on-time resident graduation. Conclusion Despite constraints due to the pandemic, OM residency programs successfully continued clinical activities, didactic training, and research productivity through virtual means and a hybrid delivery care model while supporting their residents’ morale.

The impact of COVID-19 on the practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology in the United States and Canada

“…Moreover, 52.4% participants expected residents to show up for clinical activities which may very well be for evaluation of urgent conditions. This is in accordance with studies from other institutions where residents, for continuity of clinical education, were allowed to participate in in-person or telehealth consultations ( 2 , 18 ).…”

“…When universal stay-at-home work orders were established, restricted access to healthcare caused undesirable delays in the diagnosis and management of urgent oral conditions like cancer ( 10 , 11 ). The necessary restrictions imposed resulted in a substantial decrease in outpatient visits in the Oral Medicine and Oncology referral centers, especially during the lockdown period ( 2 , 12 - 14 ). A large multi-center study from cancer center-based practices documented a 51.5% reduction in patient volume after the stay-at-home orders were established ( 12 ).…”

“…Thus, tele-consultation for such cases may be sub-optimal. A hybrid model of a combination of telehealth and in-person consultation has also been employed ( 2 ).…”

“…In light of this, the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Canadian Dental Association (CDA), in March 2020, recommended postponement of all elective procedures and restriction of dental care to emergency procedures only. This overnight shift in the workflow pattern had significant implications on patient care, dental education, and the mental health of dental practitioners and students ( 2 , 3 ). The necessary restrictions and sudden closure of academic institutions, instigated the need for adaptation and exploring alternate ways to continue pursuits in educational, clinical, and scholarly activities.…”

“…Despite the various challenges posed by COVID-19, the OMFPs continued providing patient care by either switching completely to telehealth or using a hybrid model of a combination of telehealth and in-person consultations ( 2 , 5 ). For effective biosafety practices, work protocols for pathologists and laboratory personnel were modified ( 6 ).…”