The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the University of Washington Ophthalmology Residency Training Experience

Abstract

Purpose : The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted surgical resident education. We sought to assess the impact of COVID-19 on ophthalmology resident training and wellness at the University of Washington through observing changes in volume of overnight on-call consults, resident clinics, and resident surgical cases, in addition to studying changes in sleep, activity, and resident wellness survey results.

Methods : A retrospective cohort study of ophthalmology residents at the University of Washington comparing clinical volumes, sleep and activity data recorded by a wrist actigrapher, and wellness surveys during a “pre-COVID” period from February 1^st, 2020 to March 15 to the period of initial COVID response (“COVID period”) from March 16 to May 1^st, 2020.

Results : The initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a 64% decrease in resident clinic volume, 64% decrease in resident-surgical cases, and 50% decrease in on-call consult volume, see figure 1. The fraction of consults involving an open globe injury increased more than four-fold. Resident depersonalization as measured by Maslach Burnout Inventory decreased during the pandemic (p=0.038), see figure 2. Most residents experienced decrease emotional exhaustion and increased anxiety during the pandemic. There was no statistically significant change in recorded sleep or activity among residents before and during the pandemic.

Conclusions : The initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic at the University of Washington resulted in a large decrease in clinical, surgical, and on call volumes with mixed effect on ophthalmology resident well-being.

This is a 2021 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.

 

Range, interquartile ranges, and median of clinic, OR and call volumes during the pre-COVID compared to the COVID period with p-values calculated from t-tests. Each solid circle represents a single data point. A-B. Resident run clinic volume C-D. Operative case volume for residents. E-F. Weekday and weekend call volume.

 

Range, interquartile ranges, and median results of resident wellness surveys completed during the pre-COVID period compared to the COVID period. Each solid circle represents a single resident’s data point. A-C. Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment sub-scores of the Maslach Burnout Inventory. D-F. Depression, stress, and anxiety sub-scores of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress-21 survey.