Dataset Information

Coronavirus Disease 2019's (COVID-19's) Silver Lining-Through the Eyes of Radiation Oncology Fellows.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has propelled health care workers to the front lines against the pandemic. In addition to anxiety related to infection risks, trainees have the additional burden of learning and career planning while providing care in an uncertain and rapidly changing environment. We conducted a survey to evaluate the practical and psychosocial impact on radiation oncology fellows during the first month of the pandemic.

Methods and materials

A 4-part survey was designed and distributed to the fellows in our program. The survey was designed to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on scope of activity and well-being ("Impact on You") and to identify key lessons learned and social factors ("About You") using Likert scales and open-ended response options. The survey included items from the Oldenburg Burnout questionnaire.

Results

A total of 17 participants (71%) responded to the survey. Although there was a significant reduction in the mean time spent on in-person clinics (13.5 h/wk [pre-COVID] vs 9.3 h/wk [3 weeks into the COVID emergency response]; P = .002), this was replaced by virtual consults and other COVID-related activities. The proportion of respondents demonstrating features of burnout in the domains of "disengagement" and "exhaustion" was 71% and 64%, respectively. However, there was also evidence of resilience, with 47% respondents "feeling energized." Top "concerns" and "negative changes" identified related to learning, infection risk and safety, patient care, coping, and concerns about their home country. Top "positive changes" highlighted include work culture, appreciation for leadership caring for the team, the insistence on evidence to guide change, and the implementation of virtual health care.

Conclusions

Negative impact needs to be anticipated, acknowledged, and managed. We anticipate understanding the positives that have emerged under these extraordinary circumstances is the "silver lining" of the pandemic, giving us tools and the best leverage to plan for the future.

SUBMITTER: Pilar A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7377812 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan-Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Coronavirus Disease 2019's (COVID-19's) Silver Lining-Through the Eyes of Radiation Oncology Fellows.

Pilar Avinash A Gravel Samuel Bergeron SB Croke Jennifer J Soliman Hany H Chung Peter P Wong Rebecca K S RKS

Advances in radiation oncology 20200723 1

<h4>Purpose</h4>The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has propelled health care workers to the front lines against the pandemic. In addition to anxiety related to infection risks, trainees have the additional burden of learning and career planning while providing care in an uncertain and rapidly changing environment. We conducted a survey to evaluate the practical and psychosocial impact on radiation oncology fellows during the first month of the pandemic.<h4>Methods and materials</h4 ...[more]

PMID: 32838070

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Project description:In response to the COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, residency and fellowship programs transitioned to virtual instruction to deliver didactics and continue with medical education. The efficacy of such a fully online learning environment, however, remains unknown. To investigate its impact on medical education, this study surveyed hematology/oncology fellows at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center on their attitudes regarding the online-based lecture program. Fellows were emailed a 19-question survey with questions on demographics, ease of technical access to the online platform, level of comfort with participation, knowledge acquisition, wellness, and COVID-19-specific coverage. A free-text question soliciting ways to improve upon online learning was also included. The response rate was 71% (30/42). Most respondents reported easy/very easy accessibility to the online environment. Seventy-seven percent of the participants did not experience a technical issue. Seventy percent felt comfortable/very comfortable with participating in the conference. Thirty-seven percent felt comfortable/very comfortable with actively offering an answer to questions during the interactive board review session. Eighty-seven percent would have been more willing to offer an answer during the board review session if an anonymous poll format was utilized. Sixty-three percent felt they learned the same amount as they typically do during an in-person session. Thirty-three percent reported they were less focused as compared with an in-person session. One hundred percent of the participants had their questions answered, either at all times (87%) or sometimes (13%). Sixty percent experienced a change in social interactions as compared with an in-person session. Fifty-four percent reported that it was easy/very to balance online attendance despite personal/family commitments. One hundred percent appreciated the flexibility of the online learning environment. Ninety percent felt safer at home attending these lectures compared with receiving these lectures in-person during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, most fellows felt comfortable with the transition to a fully online learning environment. Strategies to encourage active participation, enhance social interaction, and provide additional flexibility are still needed.

Dataset Information

Coronavirus Disease 2019's (COVID-19's) Silver Lining-Through the Eyes of Radiation Oncology Fellows.

Purpose

Methods and materials

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Coronavirus Disease 2019's (COVID-19's) Silver Lining-Through the Eyes of Radiation Oncology Fellows.

Similar Datasets

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