Abstract Details

Title A Single-Center Study Surveying Neurology Trainees and Faculty’s Perceptions of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Residents’ Medical Education

Topic Education, Research, and Methodology

Presentation(s) P10 - Poster Session 10 (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 7-004

Background The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed healthcare systems. The pandemic presented practical and logistical challenges that disrupted medical education and training. . Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) adopted a quick plan in response to the severity of the situation and the number of patients afflicted with COVID-19 that included modifications to training program routine workflow and didactics to comply with social distancing measures and limit the exposure of trainees.

Objective

To assess perceptions of our neurology residents and faculty regarding training experience and medical education during the early COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/Methods

We distributed two online, voluntary and anonymous surveys to trainees and teaching faculty of our neurology department at Henry Ford Hospital. Surveys inquired about trainees’ stress, wellbeing, clinical experience, and satisfaction with medical education and available support resources during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan.

Results 17/31 trainees and 25/42 faculty responded to the surveys. Eight (47%) trainees reported high stress levels. Nine (57%) were redeployed to cover COVID-19 units. Compared to non-redeployed trainees, redeployed residents reported augmented medical knowledge (89% vs 38%, p=0.05). There was no difference in the 2 groups regarding overall satisfaction with residency experience, stress levels, and didactics attendance. Twenty-one (84%) faculty felt that the redeployment interfered with trainees education but was appropriate, while 10 (59%) trainees describe a positive experience overall. Both trainees and faculty believed the pandemic positively impacted trainees experience by increasing maturity level, teamwork, empathy, and medical knowledge, while both agreed that increased stress and anxiety levels were negative outcomes of the pandemic. Twelve (70%) trainees and 13 (52%) faculty were interested in pursuing more virtual didactics in the future.

Conclusions Our findings provide an objective assessment of residents' experience during the COVID-19 pandemic and can guide teaching programs in their medical education response in the face of future global crises.

Authors/Disclosures
Hisham Alhajala, MD PRESENTER	Dr. Alhajala has nothing to disclose.
Ahmad Riad Ramadan, MD (Henry Ford Hospital)	Dr. Ramadan has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Ramadan has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care.
Aarushi Suneja, MD (Cleveland Clinic Foundation)	Dr. Suneja has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Abbvie. Dr. Suneja has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Abbvie.
Lonni Schultz, PhD (Henry Ford Hospital)	Dr. Schultz has nothing to disclose.
Iram Zaman, DO, FAAN (Henry Ford Hospital)	Dr. Zaman has nothing to disclose.