Impact of exposure to patients with COVID-19 on residents and fellows: an international survey of 1420 trainees

Abstract

ObjectivesTo determine how self-reported level of exposure to patients with novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) affected the perceived safety, training and well-being of residents and fellows.MethodsWe administered an anonymous, voluntary, web-based survey to a convenience sample of trainees worldwide. The survey was distributed by email and social media posts from April 20th to May 11th, 2020. Respondents were asked to estimate the number of patients with COVID-19 they cared for in March and April 2020 (0, 1–30, 31–60, >60). Survey questions addressed (1) safety and access to personal protective equipment (PPE), (2) training and professional development and (3) well-being and burnout.ResultsSurveys were completed by 1420 trainees (73% residents, 27% fellows), most commonly from the USA (n=670), China (n=150), Saudi Arabia (n=76) and Taiwan (n=75). Trainees who cared for a greater number of patients with COVID-19 were more likely to report limited access to PPE and COVID-19 testing and more likely to test positive for COVID-19. Compared with trainees who did not take care of patients with COVID-19 , those who took care of 1–30 patients (adjusted OR [AOR] 1.80, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.51), 31–60 patients (AOR 3.30, 95% CI 1.86 to 5.88) and >60 patients (AOR 4.03, 95% CI 2.12 to 7.63) were increasingly more likely to report burnout. Trainees were very concerned about the negative effects on training opportunities and professional development irrespective of the number of patients with COVID-19 they cared for.ConclusionExposure to patients with COVID-19 is significantly associated with higher burnout rates in physician trainees.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Nephrology Fellow Training and Well-Being in the United States: A National Survey

“…An RWBI $5 correlates with a four-fold increased burnout risk, yet our observed proportion of distress (15%) was substantially lower than the 30% of nephrology fellows meeting the Maslach Burnout Inventory criteria in a prepandemic survey. 19,52,53 Although the RWBI is a composite measure of physician distress that correlates with burnout and other factors, it may not be a directly comparable to the Maslach Burnout Inventory or other assessments. 52,53 There were no significant associations between demographic variables and meeting the distress threshold.…”

“…19,52,53 Although the RWBI is a composite measure of physician distress that correlates with burnout and other factors, it may not be a directly comparable to the Maslach Burnout Inventory or other assessments. 52,53 There were no significant associations between demographic variables and meeting the distress threshold. Although this may be due to the small numbers of respondents in demographic subgroups, it is possible distress is such a unique personal experience, it cannot be identified by such coarse demographic variables alone.…”

What is The Impact of The COVID-19 Pandemic on Residency Training: A Systematic Review and Analysis

“…Quarantining due to caring for patients with con rmed COVID-19 and the fear of infecting family led residents to live alone with little family support (25). Excessive working hours and burnout have been common, although these factors have varied by individual.…”

Teaching in times of crisis: Virtual classroom AEC. Influence of COVID-19 on surgeons of the future

“… 1 This healthcare crisis has had a significant universal psychosocial impact, causing among healthcare professionals great anxiety, fear of transmitting or contracting the disease, depression and even post-traumatic stress disorder, all of which are factors that can negatively influence their ability to learn and perhaps even leave an indelible mark on their future. 2 , 3 , 4 Added to this is the fact that some residents and directors of surgical services have been infected by the disease and have had to spend confinements away from their daily duties. 5 …”