Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on plastic surgery training in Europe

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the functioning of global soci-ety and healthcare systems, including surgical departments. We aimed to assess alterations in plastic surgery training in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A 34-question survey was emailed in January and February 2021 to 54 National As-sociations of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeons throughout European countries. The questions concerned the general profile of plastic surgery trainees, plastic surgery depart-ment, and training organization during the COVID-19 pandemic and its influence on respon-dents' health. The acquisition of responses was finalized at the end of February 2021. Results: All 71 of the respondents reported alterations in planned courses, workshops, and conferences. Organizational changes included team rotation 62%, followed by redeployment to another department 45.1%. Reduction in admissions to the plastic surgery departments was more significant during the 1stt wave than the 2nd wave of COVID-19 pandemics. During the interim period, admission restrictions were proportional to the infection number. The most fre-quently reported surgical procedures performed were skin cancer surgeries, trauma, and burns (79%, 77%, and 77%). The majority, 62% of the respondents, noticed the negative impact of pandemics on training; 53.5% think their manual skills and clinical knowledge may deteriorate because of the pandemic. Respondents noticed that their mental (50.7%) and physical (32%) health worsened, along with feeling more stressed in general (57%).

Automated summary

The study assessed the changes in plastic surgery training in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding alterations in courses, workshops, and conferences for all respondents, significant reduction in admissions, and negative impact on training and health.