S1319 The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Graduating Gastroenterology Trainees and Perceptions of Program Directors

Abstract

Introduction: Re-allocation of resources and closure of endoscopy units during the COVID-19 pandemic may have lasting impacts on graduating gastroenterology (GI) fellows who rely on their final year in training to refine their skills. We aimed to assess the impact of the pandemic on graduating GI fellows and the perceptions of their program directors (PDs). Methods: We conducted a national survey study of graduating fellows (3rd and 4th year) and program directors (PDs). An initial trainee and a PD survey were administered in 5/2020; a 6-month follow-up trainee survey was administered in 11/2020. The surveys aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 on: (1) employment; (2) CME; (3) telehealth; (4) clinical practice; and (6) confidence/competency. Initial and follow-up trainee surveys and trainee and PD surveys were compared. Bivariate analyses were performed using either Chi-square or Fisher exact tests. Results: 105 and 43 graduating GI fellows completed the initial and follow-up surveys. 107 PDs were surveyed. 15.2 % of trainees had a change in their employment due to the pandemic. Popular educational resources used were ACG Education Universe (39.1%) and ACG Virtual Grand Rounds (55.4%). A large proportion of fellows were not likely to attend an in-person national conference prior to and 6 months after graduation (34.3 % vs 44.2%, P = 0.58). The risk of COVID-19 transmission was an important factor in the decision to attend a national GI conference both prior to and 6 months after graduation (41.0% vs 46.5%, P = 0.94). For telehealth, lack of training and reimbursement were factors that affected a fellow’s decision to use telehealth. The likelihood of ordering non-invasive testing for common GI complaints decreased significantly with time (P < 0.01). A considerable proportion of fellows believed they needed additional endoscopic training as a result of the pandemic, however, this proportion declined 6 months after graduation (43.8% vs 25.6%, P = 0.04). Compared with trainees, the minority of PD’s believed that graduating fellows needed additional training in endoscopic procedures as a result of the pandemic (43.8 vs 4.7%, P =< 0.001). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the employment, educational resources, confidence, telehealth and clinical practice of our graduating GI fellows. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, PDs were confident in their graduating fellow’s technical abilities and graduating fellows gained confidence in endoscopic skills over time.Table 1.: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on graduating GI fellows and perceptions of program directors.