Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Medical Education
Date Submitted: Jun 8, 2021
Date Accepted: Feb 3, 2022
Date Submitted to PubMed: Mar 11, 2022
Perception of online didactic activities during COVID-19 pandemic among anesthesia residents
ABSTRACT
Background:
Physical and Social distancing recommendations aimed at limiting exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic has forced residency programs to increasingly rely on video conferencing and online resources.
Objective:
In the current study, we aimed to explore the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on residency training experience, and also delineate the perceived barriers to a successful implementation of online medical education.
Methods:
A 19-item survey was compiled and distributed electronically using Qualtrics. This anonymous survey included information on the training level of each resident, their participation in formal didactics before and during the pandemic, and their perception of the ease and limitations of virtual didactics. The resident's opinions on specific educational resources were assessed and the effectiveness of new delivery methods on resident engagement and learning examined.
Results:
Thirty anesthesiology residents were surveyed, 19 of whom agreed to participate in the study. Most residents (56%) reported that COVID-19 negatively affected their residency training. The time spent on didactic training and independent studies was, nevertheless, not affected by the pandemic for 90% of respondents. Yet, 72% of residents reported that their engagement during virtual didactics was lower than in-person didactics. Important limitations included distraction from physical environment and internet instability (24% each), less obligation to participate (16%), technical difficulty and unmuted microphones (12% each), and people speaking over each other (10%). Despite these limitations, an overwhelming majority (85%) of the surveyed residents stated that they would like to keep virtual didactics and grand rounds as the "new normal".
Conclusions:
Despite important limitations of virtual training, a majority of anesthesia residents at a large tertiary center confirm that they were able to maintain their didactic lectures despite reduced OR hours during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical Trial: NA
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