Post-pandemic paradigm shift toward telemedicine and tele-education; an updated survey of the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on neurosurgery residents in United States

Abstract

BackgroundSeveral strategies were implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic to enhance residency training and patient care. ObjectiveThis study aims to assess the post-pandemic landscape of neurosurgical training and practice. MethodA survey consisting of 28 questions examining the challenges faced in neurosurgery and the adaptive measures was conducted among US neurosurgery residents from May 2022 to May 2023. ResultsThis study encompassed 59 neurosurgical residents, predominantly male (72.9%) and in later years of training (66.1%) and were distributed across 25 states. Telemedicine and tele-education were pivotal during the pandemic, with virtual lecture series, standalone lectures, and virtual discussions highly favored. Remote didactic learning increased for nearly half of the residents, while 54.2% resumed in-person instruction. Telemedicine was deemed effective by 86.4% for evaluating neurosurgical patients. Access to teaching environments was restricted for 61.0% of residents, impacting their training. The pandemic significantly influenced elective surgeries, with complete cancellations reported by 42.4%. Reduced faculty engagement was noted by 35.6% of residents, while 47.5% reported a negative impact on the overall resident experience. The majority (76.3%) considered changes to their training reasonable given the global health situation. ConclusionsStrategies implemented during the peak of the pandemic remain crucial in shaping neurosurgery training. Telemedicine has become indispensable, with widespread adoption. Tele-education has also expanded, providing additional learning opportunities. However, traditional didactic courses and hands-on experiences remain essential for comprehensive training. Balancing technology-driven methods with established approaches is crucial for optimizing neurosurgical education and maintaining high-quality patient care.