Exploring the Perceived Educational Impact of COVID-19 on Postgraduate Training in Oncology

Abstract

This study sought to report the degree to which postgraduate trainees in radiation oncology perceive their education has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional online survey was administered from June to July 2020 to trainee members of the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology (CARO) ( n = 203). Thirty-four trainees responded with a 17% response rate. Just under half of participants indicated that COVID-19 had a negative/very negative impact on training ( n = 15; 46%). The majority agreed/strongly agreed that they feared family/loved ones would contract COVID-19 ( n = 29, 88%), felt socially isolated from friends and family because of COVID-19 ( n = 23, 70%), and had difficulty concentrating on tasks because of concerns about COVID-19 ( n = 17, 52%). Changes that had a negative/very negative impact on learning included limitations to travel and networking ( n = 31; 91%) and limited patient contact ( n = 19; 58%). Virtual follow-ups ( n = 25: 76%) and in-patient care activities ( n = 12; 36%) increased. Electives were cancelled in province ( n = 10; 30%), out-of-province ( n = 16; 49%), and internationally ( n = 15; 46%). Teaching from staff was moderately reduced to completely suppressed ( n = 23, 70%) and teaching to medical students was moderately reduced to completely suppressed ( n = 27, 82%). Significant changes to radiation oncology training were wrought by the pandemic, and roughly half of trainees perceive that these changes had a negative impact on training. Innovations in training delivery are needed to adapt to these new changes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13187-022-02192-6.

The Impact on Peer Mentorship After Implementation of a Competency-Based Residency Curriculum in Canadian Radiation Oncology Training Programs

“…Peer mentorship was largely based on proximity to one another, and interviewees did discuss that the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the peer mentorship experience. Many Canadian RO trainees experienced negative educational experiences from the pandemic, 45 so it is conceivable that peer mentorship also suffered during this time in RO, as it did in other disciplines. 46 The double hit of the curriculum change and COVID-19 may have disrupted peer mentorship to a greater extent compared with if CBD was implemented prepandemic.…”