Michael T Nolte1, Paul Tornetta, Samir Mehta, Brent A Ponce, Gregory Grabowski, Norman S Turner, Michael J Spitnale, Monica Kogan. 1. From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL (Nolte and Kogan), the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA (Tornetta), the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA (Mehta), the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL (Ponce), University of South Carolina Orthopaedics Center-Prisma Health Midlands, Columbia, SC (Grabowski and Spitnale), and the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN (Turner).
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the resident workforce to a particularly powerful and unexpected extent. Given the drastic changes to resident roles, expectations, and responsibilities, many valuable lessons regarding resident concerns and wellness can be garnered from this unique experience. METHODS: A voluntary survey was sent to 179 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited orthopaedic surgery residency program directors to distribute to their residents. Questions focused on issues that may have occurred, program's responses, and expectations of programs during the pandemic. RESULTS: In total, 507 residents completed the survey, and 10% reported being deployed to do nonorthopaedic-related care, with junior classes being more likely to receive this assignment (P < 0.001). The greatest concern for respondents was the possibility of getting family members sick (mean = 3.89, on scale of 1-5), followed by personally contracting the illness (mean = 3.38). DISCUSSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in numerous changes and novel sources of adversity for the orthopaedic surgery resident. Contrary to popular opinion, most residents are comfortable with the proposition of providing nonorthopaedic care. The possibility of bringing a pathogen to the home environment and infecting family members seems to be an overarching concern, and efforts to ensure resident and family safety are key.
INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the resident workforce to a particularly powerful and unexpected extent. Given the drastic changes to resident roles, expectations, and responsibilities, many valuable lessons regarding resident concerns and wellness can be garnered from this unique experience. METHODS: A voluntary survey was sent to 179 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited orthopaedic surgery residency program directors to distribute to their residents. Questions focused on issues that may have occurred, program's responses, and expectations of programs during the pandemic. RESULTS: In total, 507 residents completed the survey, and 10% reported being deployed to do nonorthopaedic-related care, with junior classes being more likely to receive this assignment (P < 0.001). The greatest concern for respondents was the possibility of getting family members sick (mean = 3.89, on scale of 1-5), followed by personally contracting the illness (mean = 3.38). DISCUSSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in numerous changes and novel sources of adversity for the orthopaedic surgery resident. Contrary to popular opinion, most residents are comfortable with the proposition of providing nonorthopaedic care. The possibility of bringing a pathogen to the home environment and infecting family members seems to be an overarching concern, and efforts to ensure resident and family safety are key.
Authors: Joshua T Rogers; Faith Mi Ge Kim; Brayden J Strine; Benjamin L Lancaster; Kevin L Hofer; Michael G Blankespoor; Michelle J Nentwig; Bradley R Dart; Bernard F Hearon Journal: Kans J Med Date: 2022-09-21