Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on PEM Fellowship Training

Background The COVID-19 pandemic led to training programs abruptly stopping in-person learning and redesigning curricula. Trainees had decreased patient contact time and use of telehealth visits became more prominent. Trainee well-being became even more vital with social isolation and fears of infecting loved ones increased. Our study evaluated impacts of COVID-19 on pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) fellowship programs, including effects on fellows’ clinical, didactic, and research experiences, and effects on fellows’ well-being. Methods Two surveys were developed using an iterative process, 1 for program leadership and 1 for fellows. Survey questions reflected the objectives of this study. Surveys were distributed a total of 3 times in 2-week intervals. Program directors (PDs) were asked to forward the fellow survey to their fellows. Survey responses were anonymous. Surveys were completed online using Qualtrics software between March 17, 2021 and April 19, 2021. Results PDs had a 56.8% (50/88) response rate, fellows 34.6% (144/416). All PDs reported a decrease in pediatric patient volumes during the height of the pandemic. Most common responses included change in rotations and block schedules, didactics moving to a virtual platform, increased frequency of speakers from outside the institution, fellows being able to participate in COVID-related research, and additional mental health services for providers. PDs and trainees report being required to provide service to COVID patients outside of a pediatric ED, commonly the adult ED and medical intensive care units. Conclusion The impact of COVID-19 on fellowship training remains unclear. Decreases in pediatric patient volumes, canceled electives, taking care of adults, and altering didactics/conferences in accordance to CDC guidelines may have adversely affected training. Future research might assess pandemic-related differences on in-training exam scores or how prepared fellows feel for unsupervised practice.