The impact of COVID-19 on Australian plastic and reconstructive surgery trainees: a survey study
**Introduction**: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the training of plastic and reconstructive surgeons and the wellbeing of surgical trainees internationally. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australian plastic and reconstructive surgery t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
2024-09-01
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| Series: | Australasian Journal of Plastic Surgery |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.34239/ajops.94715 |
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| _version_ | 1850220074995023872 |
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| author | James Cockburn Noah Betar Bavahuna Manoharan |
| author_facet | James Cockburn Noah Betar Bavahuna Manoharan |
| author_sort | James Cockburn |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | **Introduction**: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the training of plastic and reconstructive surgeons and the wellbeing of surgical trainees internationally. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australian plastic and reconstructive surgery trainees.
**Method**: A web-based self-administered survey was distributed by the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons to all Australian plastic and reconstructive surgery registrars in October 2021. A questionnaire developed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on plastic and reconstructive surgery trainees in the United States of America was adapted for the Australian context. Subgroup analysis evaluated differences in responses between early and late Surgical Education and Training trainees and between Australian states.
**Results**: Of 103 Australian plastic and reconstructive surgery trainees invited to participate, 24 responded (23%). Of these, 52 per cent were in their first two years of training. Total working hours were reduced for 61 per cent of respondents, 54 per cent reported less direct operative supervision, and 75 per cent reported missing out on critical operative learning experiences due to elective operating changes. Overall impact on trainee education was reported to be negative by 71 per cent of respondents. Self-assessed overall wellbeing was negatively impacted in 92 per cent of respondents: all reported feeling isolated from colleagues and 67 per cent reported burnout due to changes during the pandemic. Positive innovation in plastic and reconstructive surgery unit management was reported by 29 per cent of respondents. There were no statistically significant differences in responses between early and late Surgical Education and Training trainees. There were some differences identified in senior supervision and frequency of organised teaching between states.
**Conclusion**: Australian plastic and reconstructive surgery trainees in our cohort reported that the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on their clinical training opportunities, formal education and wellbeing. These findings should be considered in planning for future periods of significant disruption to try to mitigate the negative impacts on trainees. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0705ed9eb65e4abf974ce69d54972088 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2209-170X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-09-01 |
| publisher | Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Australasian Journal of Plastic Surgery |
| spelling | doaj-art-0705ed9eb65e4abf974ce69d549720882025-08-20T02:07:12ZengAustralian Society of Plastic SurgeonsAustralasian Journal of Plastic Surgery2209-170X2024-09-017210.34239/ajops.94715The impact of COVID-19 on Australian plastic and reconstructive surgery trainees: a survey studyJames CockburnNoah BetarBavahuna Manoharan**Introduction**: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the training of plastic and reconstructive surgeons and the wellbeing of surgical trainees internationally. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australian plastic and reconstructive surgery trainees. **Method**: A web-based self-administered survey was distributed by the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons to all Australian plastic and reconstructive surgery registrars in October 2021. A questionnaire developed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on plastic and reconstructive surgery trainees in the United States of America was adapted for the Australian context. Subgroup analysis evaluated differences in responses between early and late Surgical Education and Training trainees and between Australian states. **Results**: Of 103 Australian plastic and reconstructive surgery trainees invited to participate, 24 responded (23%). Of these, 52 per cent were in their first two years of training. Total working hours were reduced for 61 per cent of respondents, 54 per cent reported less direct operative supervision, and 75 per cent reported missing out on critical operative learning experiences due to elective operating changes. Overall impact on trainee education was reported to be negative by 71 per cent of respondents. Self-assessed overall wellbeing was negatively impacted in 92 per cent of respondents: all reported feeling isolated from colleagues and 67 per cent reported burnout due to changes during the pandemic. Positive innovation in plastic and reconstructive surgery unit management was reported by 29 per cent of respondents. There were no statistically significant differences in responses between early and late Surgical Education and Training trainees. There were some differences identified in senior supervision and frequency of organised teaching between states. **Conclusion**: Australian plastic and reconstructive surgery trainees in our cohort reported that the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on their clinical training opportunities, formal education and wellbeing. These findings should be considered in planning for future periods of significant disruption to try to mitigate the negative impacts on trainees.https://doi.org/10.34239/ajops.94715 |
| spellingShingle | James Cockburn Noah Betar Bavahuna Manoharan The impact of COVID-19 on Australian plastic and reconstructive surgery trainees: a survey study Australasian Journal of Plastic Surgery |
| title | The impact of COVID-19 on Australian plastic and reconstructive surgery trainees: a survey study |
| title_full | The impact of COVID-19 on Australian plastic and reconstructive surgery trainees: a survey study |
| title_fullStr | The impact of COVID-19 on Australian plastic and reconstructive surgery trainees: a survey study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of COVID-19 on Australian plastic and reconstructive surgery trainees: a survey study |
| title_short | The impact of COVID-19 on Australian plastic and reconstructive surgery trainees: a survey study |
| title_sort | impact of covid 19 on australian plastic and reconstructive surgery trainees a survey study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.34239/ajops.94715 |
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