LAUSR

Background COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial impact on surgical training programs.. This study describes the teaching strategies and outcomes in 3 different times of the COVID-19 pandemic through a dynamic assessment of medical skills and well-being of trainees. Methods Three surveys were administered during 2020 to General Surgery residents and fellows in a University Hospital in Argentina. Perceptions on the impact of COVID-19 were described. The stress rate and risk factors were analyzed. Results The study included 124 answers; 59% were men. 82% of trainees reported concerns about the loss of surgical skills in early phase 1. Time spent with academic activities increased in 94.5% of the cases. Due to the prompt implementation of changes, by the end of 2020, 73% participated in a greater number of procedures (p=0.003); Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use related problems dropped from 40 to 14% (p=0.031) and the lack of adequate spaces where trainees could express reduced from 28% to zero. Half of the trainees felt stressed and 18% required psychological assistance; reporting problems with PPE use was identified as a risk factor (p=0.012). Conclusions Assessing trainees’ perceptions at 3 different times of the COVID-19 pandemic enabled the implementation of dynamic changes. The negative impact on surgical training was partially offset by the optimal use of virtual learning. Half of them felt stressed, identifying problems in the use of PPE as a predisposing factor.