Residents’ Perceived Impact of COVID-19 on Saudi Ophthalmology Training Programs-A Survey

• Main Authors: Alahmadi AS, Alhatlan HM, Bin Helayel H, Khandekar R, Al Habash A, Al-Shahwan S
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2020
• Subjects: ophthalmology training; curriculum; outbreak; training; mental health; medical education; Ophthalmology; RE1-994; sami
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/27888211a2e54afb8af70c18a12fba4a

Adel Salah Alahmadi,1,2 Hatlan M Alhatlan,3 Halah Bin Helayel,4 Rajiv Khandekar,4 Ahmed Al Habash,5 Sami Al-Shahwan6,7 1Vitreoretinal Division, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Ophthalmology, MOH, Madinah, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Ophthalmology, King Fahad Hospital, MOH, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia; 4Research Department, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 6Glaucoma Division, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 7Residency and Fellowship Office, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Ahmed Al HabashDepartment of Ophthalmology, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, King Fahd Hospital of the University, King Faisal Road, Dammam 31952, Saudi ArabiaTel [phone] Ext 1323Fax [phone]Email [e-mail]: To evaluate the impact of the current pandemic on ophthalmology residency training in Saudi Arabia, focusing on its effects on clinical education, training, and the mental well-being of the trainees.Methods: An online self-administered questionnaire was distributed among residents in the Saudi ophthalmology training programs between July 7 and 14, 2020. In this study, we explored residents’ opinions regarding training disruption and virtual education. The patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on their mental health. We used descriptive statistics for data analysis.Results: Out of 183 registered ophthalmology residents, 142 participated in this study. Ninety-six participants (35.4%) were rotated at a specialized eye hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic, while 52 (19.2%) had rotations in the ophthalmology department at general hospitals. Those who rotated in both types of hospitals were 123 (45.4%). According to the participants, there was a significant decline in exposure to surgical and office-based procedures ...