The Influence and Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Orthopaedic Resident Training

Orthopedic residents, like all other healthcare professionals, face unique challenges during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The rapid spread of COVID-19 has forced healthcare systems around the world to adapt. As in many other specialties, it has led to many changes in the training of orthopedic residents including restructuring of surgical training, a reduction in elective surgery cases, and re-assignment of residents to COVID-19-related clinical duties. As a result, the standard training curriculum has been interrupted and the number of surgical cases has decreased, limiting the ability of the residents to meet the range and number of patient follow-up and treatment requirements set by the Turkish Orthopedics and Traumatology Education Council (TOTEK). The already stressful work environment of orthopedic residents has become more stressful and anxious with the COVID-19 pandemic. There are no well-designed survey studies that have shown the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on orthopedic resident education and well-being from the resident's perspective. Therefore, the purpose of this nationwide survey study was to document and analyze the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the real-life experiences of orthopedic residents in Turkey.