Abstract Details

Title Rural Neurology Residency Wellbeing and Outpatient Measures During Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID 19) Pandemic

Topic Research Methodology, Education, and History

Presentation(s) Research Methodology and Education Posters (7:00 AM-5:00 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 043

Background The COVID 19 pandemic has infected 40 million people globally from which about 570,000 are health care professionals. Neurology house staff are much prone to this pandemic as they are at the first responders for any neurological emergencies. It is now even more important to make sure that the balance between their well being and work is maintained.

Objective To assess for the well being of the residents in a rural neurology residency program and impact on the outpatient setting.

Design/Methods An anonymous web-based survey was created and sent to residents. We assessed the resident’s clinical activities, didactics and well-being. Data from outpatient metrics was reviewed and analyzed according to patients seen before, during and after the COVID-19 lockdown.

Results 14 neurology residents were included in the well-being survey. 28% residents reported that the COVID has impacted them "a lot" while 50% residents were impacted "moderately". 78% of the residents reported that in person patient visits were the best for outpatient setting, while 21% favored the tele-video visits. Headache (71%) was noted to be the most appropriate tele-neurology sub-specialty, while neuromuscular (57%) was the least appropriate sub-specialty. Anxiety (42%) and risk of being infected with COVID (35%) were major social issues reported. Residents were able to adapt to tele neurology as the number of patients increased from 306 (pre-COVID lockdown) to 375 during COVID lock down.

Conclusions

Our study evaluated the impact of COVID on rural neurology resident’s well-being and outpatient metrics. Number of patients increased during the COVID lock down as the residents were able to adapt to the tele neurology effectively. Residents did report significant anxiety and risk of getting infected as their two major social issues. Some of the neurology subspecialties like headache, worked well with tele neurology, while others like neuromuscular did not, as they require a detailed neurological assessment.

Authors/Disclosures
Muhammad Taimur A. Malik, MD PRESENTER	Dr. Malik has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Genetech . Dr. Malik has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Jansen . Dr. Malik has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for EMD serono. The institution of Dr. Malik has received research support from National MS Society .
Edward Stefanowicz (Geisinger)	No disclosure on file
Ramin Zand, MD (Pennsylvania State University)	Dr. Zand has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP. The institution of Dr. Zand has received research support from Genentech. The institution of Dr. Zand has received research support from Geisinger Health Plan. The institution of Dr. Zand has received research support from Geisinger Health Plan. The institution of Dr. Zand has received research support from Bucknell.
J. David Avila, MD (Geisinger Medical Center)	Dr. Avila has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Alexion Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Avila has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Avila has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for argenx. Dr. Avila has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Alexion Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Avila has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for UCB. Dr. Avila has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for AstraZeneca. Dr. Avila has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Takeda.