TeleResidents: Exploring the use of Resident Home Workstations During the COVID Pandemic

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous strategies have been proposed to allow for continued resident education while following social distancing guidelines. Diagnostic radiology is largely electronic work, allowing for relatively easy transition to telehealth. Our institution deployed home workstations to interested upper level radiology residents and fellows in order to maintain high volume workload and education, while complying with CDC social distancing and quarantine guidelines.

We deployed 28 home workstations with integrated PACS, electronic health record, and reporting system, supporting workflow that matched our on-site processes and allowing residents to work from home while on diagnostic rotations. Two months into the pilot, surveys were sent to trainees and faculty to assess satisfaction related to education, productivity, and wellness. A retrospective study count was performed for a sample of residents in order to assess productivity.

Residents perceived their remote productivity as unchanged or better than at the hospital, while faculty were more likely to perceive it as decreased, however, objective results showed no difference. Education was largely considered worse or unchanged with very few regarding it as improved. Those utilizing shared-screen signout platforms rated education better than those utilizing voice/telephone communications only. Trainees expressed improvement in wellness and quality of life.

Home workstations for trainees represent a feasible solution for implementing social distancing or even quarantine while maintaining operational productivity. There is the added benefit of scheduling flexibility, option to overcome space constraints, and improved quality of life.