Training infectious diseases senior residents during COVID-19: The impact and the lessons learnt

The COVID-19 pandemic had major impact on the training of Infectious Diseases (ID) residents across the globe. They were part of the frontline staff, while at the same time training to be ID physicians. This study focused on identifying their capability, i.e. the ability to adapt existing competencies to new situations, which is now recognised as an essential element of professional practice.

This study explored what ID residents learnt and how they learnt as they adapted to working in this unpredictable and challenging COVID-19 pandemic.

This qualitative explorative study was based in the Infectious Diseases Senior Residency Programme across three training institutions in Singapore. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data were analysed using a template analysis technique.

Nine ID residents participated in this study. They learnt to engage with uncertainty in a meaningful way by relying on prior training and rapidly learning how to most effectively learn (metacognition). Learning was enhanced by collaboration between multidisciplinary health professionals, strong leadership and intrinsic motivation from personal interest in ID. They learnt through observing how senior faculty approached and managed the COVID-19 situation.

When learning for future capability in a rapidly evolving situation, role-modelling and mentoring are essential as available information resources may still not provide the learning from skilled doctors with actual experiences managing complex, uncertain situations.