International Journal of Emergency Medicine (Aug 2023)

Impact of COVID-19 on pediatric emergency fellowship training in Saudi Arabia

  • Ahmad Khobrani,
  • Osama Kentab,
  • Abdulaziz Algarni,
  • Ahmad AAl Ibrahim,
  • Javid Ahmad Bhat,
  • Ammar Abdulmajeed,
  • Wafa Homaida,
  • Sara El Basheer,
  • Abdullah Akkam,
  • Muna Aljahany

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-023-00518-9
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 1
pp. 1 – 16

Abstract

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Abstract Objectives To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the academic and clinical processes of pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) fellowship training held by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS). Methods A cross-sectional, nationwide, survey-based study was conducted between June and December 2020. PEM program directors as well as fellowship trainees were eligible. The collected data were under the following domains: (1) sociodemographic and work-related characteristics; (2) impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient flow and PEM procedures; (3) impact on emergency skills and competence; (4) impact on academic performance; and (5) attitudes toward PEM practice and potential solutions. Monthly reports of PEM visits and procedures were also collected from program directors. Results A total of 11 PEM program directors and 42 fellows responded. During the pandemic, the number of total ED visits decreased by 70.1%, ED inpatient admissions fell by 57.3%, and the number of intraosseous need insertion and lumbar puncture procedures fell by 76.7% and 62.3%, respectively; the temporal differences in the median frequencies were statistically significant. The pandemic has influenced the knowledge acquisition and leadership skills of one-third of program directors (36.4% and 27.3%, respectively) and the skills and competence of fellows (31.0%). The majority of directors and fellows showed that online classes/webinars were useful (100% and 95.2%, respectively), and there was no need to extend the current fellowship training to compensate for learning deficits (62.7% and 78.6%, respectively). The importance of dedicated modalities to fill in the training gap increased by 62.5% of program directors and 35.7% of fellows. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic had significant effects on clinical procedures and academic activities in the PEM fellowship program. The impact was consistently perceived across PEM program directors and fellows. Technology-driven solutions are warranted to mitigate the expected learning and clinical deficits due to reduced clinical exposure.

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