ESCRS - P181 - THE GLOBAL IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON OPHTHALMIC TRAINING: A WORLDWIDE SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

THE GLOBAL IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON OPHTHALMIC TRAINING: A WORLDWIDE SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Published 2023 - 27th ESCRS Winter Meeting

Reference: P181 | Type: Presented Poster & Poster Submission | DOI: 10.82333/s3qr-hy94

Authors: Twishaa Sheth* 1 , Timothy Johanan Rajaratnam 2 , Faye Barampouti 3

1Ophthalmology,East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust,Stevenage,United Kingdom, 2Ophthalmology,James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust,Great Yarmouth,United Kingdom, 3Ophthalmology,West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust,Watford,United Kingdom

Purpose

COVID-19 has resulted in unprecedented disruption to all aspects of healthcare, including the training of future ophthalmologists. This may indirectly negatively impact patient-care. This systematic-review highlights key-issues and solutions.

Setting

This systematic review was conducted by 2 trainee Doctors from the UK with supervision from a senior Consultant, in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its effect worldwide on Ophthalmic training.

Methods

Acknowledging the global-effect of the pandemic, worldwide English-language literature was searched using the Medline and Embase databases using the following search-terms:

Ophthalmology, ophthalmologists, medical education, trainees, interns, internships, residents, coronavirus, COVID-19, clinical, surgical, psychological impacts

Results

Of 416 total papers obtained, 80 were directly relevant.

Issues for ophthalmology training due to COVID-19 were categorised into the following domains:

  • Clinical
  • Surgical
  • Psychological

Key clinical / surgical issues related to a reduction in workload (especially theatre-time / procedural-exposure), virtual-clinics and associated diminished learning-experiences. Widespread disruption to formal training-processes ensued, including rotations, interviews, examinations, fellowships, conferences and collaborations.

The negative clinical/surgical impact had a detrimental effect on trainees’ wellbeing, especially with concerns regarding deteriorating practical-skills and difficulty in training-progression. This led to psychologically negative actions, including overworking and leave-cancellation due to increased pressures to “catch-up”.

However, some potential training benefits have arisen from COVID-19. Virtual-training delivered by specialty-leaders increased access to, and quality of, training. Sessions were logistically easier to attend with lower financial burdens. Trainers have been motivated to explore innovative teaching techniques.

Conclusion

Alongside the detrimental effect of COVID-19 on training, potential solutions including novel uses of technology (e.g. surgical telementoring and virtual placements) have arisen. Foundational changes to training, involving a shift from volume-based to competency-based assessments may also be required. Lessons from this review can be taken forward to improve the training-climate where situations such as COVID-19 affect exposure to clinical opportunities.