[Translated article] Has 2020 been a lost year in orthopaedic surgery and trauma training? Residents' perceptions

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Medical Education
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted specialized healthcare training globally.
• Surgical education, particularly in orthopaedics, faced significant challenges.
• The specific impact on orthopaedic surgery residency training remained unassessed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on orthopaedic surgery residency training in Spain.
• To analyze the impact on residents' clinical and theoretical learning activities.

Main Methods:

• An online survey with 17 questions was distributed to orthopaedic surgery residents across Spain.
• Data was collected between February 10, 2021, and February 28, 2021.
• Survey responses were analyzed to determine the pandemic's effects on training and care.

Main Results:

• 307 residents responded, with 77.2% reporting suspended rotations and 69.7% experiencing suspended surgeries.
• Surgical activity ceased for an average of 8 weeks.
• 66.8% believed their surgical training was negatively affected, and 49.5% found online training insufficient.
• 52.1% rated the pandemic's impact on their training as bad or very bad.

Conclusions:

• The pandemic had a detrimental effect on both theoretical and clinical orthopaedic surgery training.
• There is a critical need to enhance and maximize learning opportunities to ensure quality surgical education.
• Strategies are required to mitigate the long-term consequences of training disruptions.