Andreia F Ni Latin Small Letter T With Comma Below Ă1, Despina Tsita, Anne-Marie Grima, Fiona Cameron, Nathalie M Rock, Dimitrios Tapsas. 1. Paediatric Gastroenterology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, Great Ormond Street, London, UK, Carol Davila, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Mater Dei Hospital, Malta Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, UK Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition unit, Division of Paediatric specialties, Department of Paediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Limited data exist about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the training and clinical practice of young doctors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact on paediatric gastroenterologists in training posts during the first wave of European COVID pandemic. METHODS: All Young ESPGHAN (YE) members received a multiple-choice questionnaire concerning the impact (if any) on their clinical practice, mental health, quality of care provided and fellowship/training experience. The survey was conducted between May 22nd, 2020 and June 10th, 2020. RESULTS: Of the 144 responders (40% of YE members), 85% (n = 123) reported an impact of COVID-19. 96% reported an impact on their clinical practice, including more virtual patient consultation (n = 91), underutilization of ambulatory care (n = 113) and reduced or lack of planned admissions (n = 75). Endoscopy restrictions to semi-urgent or emergency cases were reported in 82 and lack of medical equipment/drugs (n = 47) were also reported.Reported adverse mental health issues included poor concentration, increased stress levels, an impact on family life in 62% and a reduced quality of care in 45%; this was more often reported in doctors from Southern Europe (54%) than in those from other geographical areas.77% reported an impact on the content of their fellowship, including lack of participation in national/international meetings, withdrawn research time and limited mentoring. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been shown to affect the clinical practice, training and mental health of YE members. Adaptations of training programmes and targeted strategies to improve the clinical practice of young practitioners are needed and proposed in this manuscript.
OBJECTIVES: Limited data exist about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the training and clinical practice of young doctors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact on paediatric gastroenterologists in training posts during the first wave of European COVID pandemic. METHODS: All Young ESPGHAN (YE) members received a multiple-choice questionnaire concerning the impact (if any) on their clinical practice, mental health, quality of care provided and fellowship/training experience. The survey was conducted between May 22nd, 2020 and June 10th, 2020. RESULTS: Of the 144 responders (40% of YE members), 85% (n = 123) reported an impact of COVID-19. 96% reported an impact on their clinical practice, including more virtual patient consultation (n = 91), underutilization of ambulatory care (n = 113) and reduced or lack of planned admissions (n = 75). Endoscopy restrictions to semi-urgent or emergency cases were reported in 82 and lack of medical equipment/drugs (n = 47) were also reported.Reported adverse mental health issues included poor concentration, increased stress levels, an impact on family life in 62% and a reduced quality of care in 45%; this was more often reported in doctors from Southern Europe (54%) than in those from other geographical areas.77% reported an impact on the content of their fellowship, including lack of participation in national/international meetings, withdrawn research time and limited mentoring. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been shown to affect the clinical practice, training and mental health of YE members. Adaptations of training programmes and targeted strategies to improve the clinical practice of young practitioners are needed and proposed in this manuscript.