Impact of COVID-19 on the Neurosurgical Resident Training Program

Significant global disruption in neurosurgical teaching and training has arisen from the COVID-19 pandemic. Decreased surgical exposure has negatively impacted educational provision. However, advancements in virtual technology have allowed for more affordable, accessible training especially in LMICs (lower- and/or middle-income countries). Using this, initiatives to reduce physical and mental stress experienced by trainees should be paramount ¹⁾

A study evaluated the impact of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions during the first lockdown period in spring 2020 on the neurosurgical resident training program, and provides constructive approaches to deal with such situations.

A concurrent embedded mixed methods design was used. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews from all neurosurgical residents at three university hospitals in Germany. Concurrently, quantitative data of the number of performed surgeries, outpatient visits, and the usage of telemedicine in the period from October 2019 to July 2020 were collected and analyzed accordingly.

During the period of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in spring 2020, there was a marked reduction in the number of surgeries performed by neurosurgical residents, from an average of 41.26 (median 41) surgeries per month to 25.66 (median 24) per month, representing a decrease of 37.80%. The decrease in the operations was concerning mainly spinal and functional neurosurgery. Outpatient visits were reduced significantly, with a concurrent fivefold increase in the usage of telemedicine. General and pediatric neurosurgery outpatient clinics were the most affected. However, although surgical exposure was reduced during the lockdown phase, neurosurgical residents focused on conducting research and improving theoretical knowledge. Nevertheless, the global uncertainties caused by COVID-19 generated notable psychological stress among some residents.

The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions significantly affected the neurosurgical training program. Innovative solutions need to be developed to increase teaching and research capacities of neurosurgical residents as well as to improve surgical skills by installing surgical skill laboratories or similar constructs ²⁾.

Romano et al. described the impact of the COVID-19 virtual match cycle and discuss approaches to optimize future cycles through applicant and neurosurgical education leadership insights. Anonymous surveys of neurosurgery program leaders (program directors and program chairs), program administrators (PAs), and 2020-2021 neurosurgery residency match applicants were distributed by the SNS, in conjunction with the Association of Resident Administrators in Neurological Surgery and AANS Young Neurosurgeons Committee. Optimizing a national strategy for the neurosurgery application process that prioritizes equity and reduces costs, while ensuring adequate exposure for applicants to gain educational opportunities and evaluate programs, is critical to maintain a successful training system. ³⁾.

A 33-item electronic survey was sent to neurosurgery residents from Latin America from May 10 to 25, 2021. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.

Results: A total of 111 neurosurgery residents responded to the survey. Mean age was 29.39 ± 2.37 years; 22.5% were female and 36% were training in Mexico. Residents who reported experiencing discrimination for testing positive to COVID-19 had the highest levels of depersonalization (66.7%; P = 0.043) and emotional exhaustion (75%; P = 0.023). Female respondents reported higher rates of gender discrimination (80% vs. 1.2%; P = 0.001), abuse (84% vs. 58.1%; P < 0.005), and sexual harassment (24% vs. 0%; P < 0.001) than did male respondents. Residents training in Mexico reported lower rates of emotional or verbal abuse (59.2% vs. 32.5%; P = 0.007) and bullying (P < 0.005) than did those in other countries in Latin America. Older age was a protective factor for high depersonalization scores (odds ratio [OR], 0.133; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.035-0.500). Experiencing discrimination represented a risk factor for presenting high emotional exhaustion scores (OR, 3.019; 95% CI, 1.057-8.629). High levels of depersonalization were associated with a 7-fold increased risk of suicidal ideation (OR, 7.869; 95% CI, 1.266-48.88) ⁴⁾.

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