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Challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic on the Obstetrics and Gynecology residency program : a mixed-methods Swedish survey in the COPE Staff cohort study

Wådell, Matilda ; Örtqvist, Anne K ; Linden, Karolina LU orcid ; Akerstrom, Magnus ; Andersson, Ola LU orcid ; Carlsson, Ylva ; Graner, Sofie ; Jonsson, Maria LU ; Naurin, Elin and Sengpiel, Verena , et al. (2022) In BMC Medical Education 22. p.1-12
Abstract

BACKGROUND: To outline how the training program and work situation of residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) was affected by the pandemic and to illuminate how residents experienced these changes.

METHODS: As part of the COVID-19 in Pregnancy and Early Childhood Staff (COPE Staff) cohort study, between January and May 2021, all participating residents were invited to answer a 28-question online Resident Survey focusing on their specialist education, work situation and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Descriptive statistics were given in percentages for categorical variables and means and standard deviations (SD) for continuous variables. Univariate comparative analyses were performed with the use of the Pearson's... (More)

BACKGROUND: To outline how the training program and work situation of residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) was affected by the pandemic and to illuminate how residents experienced these changes.

METHODS: As part of the COVID-19 in Pregnancy and Early Childhood Staff (COPE Staff) cohort study, between January and May 2021, all participating residents were invited to answer a 28-question online Resident Survey focusing on their specialist education, work situation and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Descriptive statistics were given in percentages for categorical variables and means and standard deviations (SD) for continuous variables. Univariate comparative analyses were performed with the use of the Pearson's Chi-2-test for dichotomous data. The association between residents' worry about the quality and length of their specialist training, with extra clinical hours and transfer to other healthcare institutions were assessed by multivariate logistic regression. Free text responses were analyzed by content analysis.

RESULTS: Of the 162 participating OB-GYN residents, 69% expressed concern that the pandemic would have a negative impact on their training. Ninety-five (95%) reported cancellation/postponement of educational activities, 70% performed fewer surgeries and 27% had been transferred to other healthcare institutions where about half reported having gained more general knowledge as a physician. Working extra clinical hours was reported by 69% (7.4 ± 5.3 hours per week) and 14% had considered changing their profession due to the pandemic. Senior residents, compared to junior residents, more often experienced cancelled/postponed clinical rotations (30% vs 15%, P=0.02) and reported performing fewer surgeries (P=0.02). The qualitative analysis highlighted the lack of surgical procedural training as a major concern for residents.

CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has strongly impacted the training program and work situation of OB-GYN residents in Sweden. Residents were concerned over the negative impact of the pandemic on their training program and senior residents reported more missed educational opportunities as compared to junior residents. Program directors, head of institutions and clinical supervisors can use the problem areas pinpointed by this study to support residents and compensate for missed educational opportunities. While hands-on-training and operating time cannot be compensated for, the authors hope that the findings of the study can help develop new strategies to minimize the negative impact of the current and future pandemics on resident education and work situation.

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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
BMC Medical Education
volume
22
article number
602
pages
1 - 12
publisher
BioMed Central (BMC)
external identifiers
  • scopus:85135384495
  • pmid:35927725
ISSN
1472-6920
DOI
10.1186/s12909-022-03631-0
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
© 2022. The Author(s).
id
0517abf1-708b-4c69-8682-d2f15280b155
date added to LUP
2022-08-06 10:13:38
date last changed
2024-11-29 09:51:02
@article{0517abf1-708b-4c69-8682-d2f15280b155,
  abstract     = {{<p>BACKGROUND: To outline how the training program and work situation of residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) was affected by the pandemic and to illuminate how residents experienced these changes.</p><p>METHODS: As part of the COVID-19 in Pregnancy and Early Childhood Staff (COPE Staff) cohort study, between January and May 2021, all participating residents were invited to answer a 28-question online Resident Survey focusing on their specialist education, work situation and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Descriptive statistics were given in percentages for categorical variables and means and standard deviations (SD) for continuous variables. Univariate comparative analyses were performed with the use of the Pearson's Chi-2-test for dichotomous data. The association between residents' worry about the quality and length of their specialist training, with extra clinical hours and transfer to other healthcare institutions were assessed by multivariate logistic regression. Free text responses were analyzed by content analysis.</p><p>RESULTS: Of the 162 participating OB-GYN residents, 69% expressed concern that the pandemic would have a negative impact on their training. Ninety-five (95%) reported cancellation/postponement of educational activities, 70% performed fewer surgeries and 27% had been transferred to other healthcare institutions where about half reported having gained more general knowledge as a physician. Working extra clinical hours was reported by 69% (7.4 ± 5.3 hours per week) and 14% had considered changing their profession due to the pandemic. Senior residents, compared to junior residents, more often experienced cancelled/postponed clinical rotations (30% vs 15%, P=0.02) and reported performing fewer surgeries (P=0.02). The qualitative analysis highlighted the lack of surgical procedural training as a major concern for residents.</p><p>CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has strongly impacted the training program and work situation of OB-GYN residents in Sweden. Residents were concerned over the negative impact of the pandemic on their training program and senior residents reported more missed educational opportunities as compared to junior residents. Program directors, head of institutions and clinical supervisors can use the problem areas pinpointed by this study to support residents and compensate for missed educational opportunities. While hands-on-training and operating time cannot be compensated for, the authors hope that the findings of the study can help develop new strategies to minimize the negative impact of the current and future pandemics on resident education and work situation.</p>}},
  author       = {{Wådell, Matilda and Örtqvist, Anne K and Linden, Karolina and Akerstrom, Magnus and Andersson, Ola and Carlsson, Ylva and Graner, Sofie and Jonsson, Maria and Naurin, Elin and Sengpiel, Verena and Veje, Malin and Wessberg, Anna and Zaigham, Mehreen}},
  issn         = {{1472-6920}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{1--12}},
  publisher    = {{BioMed Central (BMC)}},
  series       = {{BMC Medical Education}},
  title        = {{Challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic on the Obstetrics and Gynecology residency program : a mixed-methods Swedish survey in the COPE Staff cohort study}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12909-022-03631-0}},
  doi          = {{10.1186/s12909-022-03631-0}},
  volume       = {{22}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}