Safety and other concerns
The majority of trainees reported that they were provided adequate PPE
for participation both in the operating room (81%) and in the inpatient
or ER setting (82.3%, Table 3). However, 43% still reported that they
also acquired their own PPE. Most participants (76%) felt safe and
protected performing their clinical duties, and 85% of respondents felt
that their department was supportive of suggestions and feedback. While
trainees overall felt supported by their departments, some major
concerns included exposure to the virus (70%), infecting others with
the virus (87.3%), and the safety of co-workers (72.8%). Challenges
that trainees reported facing included “changing policies and
guidelines” surrounding PPE, “lack of transparency of leadership”.
Additional challenges included “coping with collective and personal
anxiety”, “feeling not useful”, “dealing with the unknown” and
hoping for more “mental health resources.” The most frequent
challenges cited (half of respondents) were related to reduced
“surgical training,” decreased clinical experience, and junior
residents not being able to participate in OR or inpatient encounters.