Ana I Velazquez1,2, Urshila Durani3, Lachelle D Weeks4, Ajay Major5, Robby Reynolds6, Ashok Kumbamu7, Devika G Das8, Martina C Murphy9, Elizabeth Henry10,11, Alfred I Lee12, Ariela L Marshall3,13. 1. Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA. 2. National Clinician Scholars Program, Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA. 3. Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. 4. Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA. 5. Section of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. 6. American Society of Hematology, Washington, DC. 7. Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. 8. Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Alabama Medical Center, Birmingham, AL. 9. Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. 10. Department of Medical Education, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL. 11. Division of Hematology and Oncology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL. 12. Section of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. 13. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic led to unprecedented challenges in medical training, and we sought to assess the specific impact of COVID-19 on hematology-oncology (HO) fellowship programs. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional anonymous online survey of 103 HO program directors (PDs) in conjunction with the American Society of Hematology (ASH) and ASCO. We sought to assess the specific impact of COVID-19 on HO fellowship programs' clinical, educational, and research activities, evaluate perceptions regarding PD and trainee emotional and mental health, and identify ways to support programs. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, parametric and nonparametric tests, and multivariable logistic regression models. Responses to open-ended questions were analyzed with thematic analysis. RESULTS: Significant changes to fellowship activities included transitioning fellow training from outpatient clinics to telehealth (77.7%), shifting to virtual education (94.2%), and moving to remote research work (63.1%). A minority (21.4%) of PDs reported that their fellows were redeployed to cover non-HO services. Most PDs (54.4%) believed COVID-19 had a slight negative impact on fellowship training. PD self-reported burnout increased significantly from 15.5% prepandemic to 44.7% during the pandemic, and most PDs witnessed minor signs of fellow burnout (52.4%). Common PD concerns included inadequate supervision for telehealth activities, reduced opportunities for fellow advancement and promotion, lack of professional development activities, limited research operations and funding, program financial constraints, and virtual recruitment. CONCLUSION: We encourage institutions and national societies to allocate resources and develop programs that can support fellowships and mitigate the potential negative effects of COVID-19 on trainee and PD career development.
PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic led to unprecedented challenges in medical training, and we sought to assess the specific impact of COVID-19 on hematology-oncology (HO) fellowship programs. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional anonymous online survey of 103 HO program directors (PDs) in conjunction with the American Society of Hematology (ASH) and ASCO. We sought to assess the specific impact of COVID-19 on HO fellowship programs' clinical, educational, and research activities, evaluate perceptions regarding PD and trainee emotional and mental health, and identify ways to support programs. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, parametric and nonparametric tests, and multivariable logistic regression models. Responses to open-ended questions were analyzed with thematic analysis. RESULTS: Significant changes to fellowship activities included transitioning fellow training from outpatient clinics to telehealth (77.7%), shifting to virtual education (94.2%), and moving to remote research work (63.1%). A minority (21.4%) of PDs reported that their fellows were redeployed to cover non-HO services. Most PDs (54.4%) believed COVID-19 had a slight negative impact on fellowship training. PD self-reported burnout increased significantly from 15.5% prepandemic to 44.7% during the pandemic, and most PDs witnessed minor signs of fellow burnout (52.4%). Common PD concerns included inadequate supervision for telehealth activities, reduced opportunities for fellow advancement and promotion, lack of professional development activities, limited research operations and funding, program financial constraints, and virtual recruitment. CONCLUSION: We encourage institutions and national societies to allocate resources and develop programs that can support fellowships and mitigate the potential negative effects of COVID-19 on trainee and PD career development.
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