Covid-19 Epidemic Impact on Clinical Training in Irish GP Training

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Public Health
• General Practice

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems globally.
• General practice training relies heavily on workplace-based learning and direct patient interaction.
• The pandemic necessitated rapid changes in clinical practice and medical education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on general practice (GP) training in Ireland.
• To describe the changes in workplace-based learning experienced by GP trainees during the pandemic.
• To identify the effects on clinical exposure and training activities.

Main Methods:

• A prospective national survey was conducted among GP trainees in Ireland.
• Trainees were surveyed on three separate occasions during the winter pandemic of 2020/2021.
• Data collected focused on consultation types, clinical encounters, and learning experiences.

Main Results:

• Face-to-face consultations decreased significantly, with over half of trainees seeing fewer than 5 patients daily by the third survey.
• Remote consultations (telephone/video) increased substantially, with over half conducting more than 16 per day.
• Essential clinical experiences like respiratory examinations and managing new hypertension cases diminished for a significant proportion of trainees.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic caused abrupt and significant changes to the standard general practice training curriculum in Ireland.
• GP trainees experienced a marked reduction in direct clinical exposure and traditional learning opportunities.
• Programmatic adaptations were implemented and proved effective in mitigating the adverse effects of the pandemic on training.