Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Surgical Residency Training: Time to Digitalization

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on medical education, particularly in surgical specialties. Surgical training, traditionally reliant on hands-on experience, has faced unprecedented challenges due to reduced clinical activities and elective surgeries. Aim: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinical and surgical training of Tunisian surgical residents, along with their psychological well-being. Additionally, the study aimed to propose feasible and cost-effective measures for enhancing surgical training in low-income countries, like Tunisia, during and after the pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at a teaching hospital in Tunisia between December 1st and 30th, 2020. The survey, distributed to 36 surgical residents, included questions on demographic characteristics, training activities, and psychological impact using the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 questionnaires. Data on respondents' suggestions for training improvements were also collected. Results: Of the invited residents, 72% (26 participants) responded. The respondents reported a significant reduction in clinical and surgical training opportunities, with 85% believing the pandemic negatively impacted their training. Psychological assessment revealed increased stress and anxiety among all participants, with 77% showing signs of depression. The residents suggested increasing the frequency of teleconference-based college courses and clinical case discussion sessions. Additionally, the adoption of low-cost simulation-based training, free access to online surgical video libraries, and use of the Touch Surgery application were highlighted as valuable tools. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted surgical residency training in Tunisia, impacting both the training quality and psychological well-being of residents. The findings emphasize the need for innovative training methodologies in low-resource settings. Proposed measures, including simulation-based training using low-cost models and enhanced digital resources, offer practical solutions to sustain surgical education during such global crises. The study underscores the importance of adapting and expanding surgical training methodologies to ensure continued learning and skill development in challenging times.