The Experience of Family Medicine Residents during the Early Phase of COVID-19 Pandemic in Tunisia

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed healthcare systems particularly the training curriculum for post-graduate medical students. Our aim was to assess family medicine residents’ perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on training and medical education in Tunisia. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among all Tunisian family medicine residents who were in training during the year 2020. Residents starting their first-year residency studies in 2021 were excluded. A structured questionnaire was created and shared via Google Forms. Residents' anonymity and consent were respected. Results: We included 107 residents (85% females). During the first semester of 2020, a significant reduction in workload was reported including working hours (58.9%), patient's flow (65.1%) and elective admission (83%). The workload tended to partially normalize during the second half of the year. The restriction of academic activities (staff, grand rounds, and congresses) was considered the major obstacle (73.8%) hindering residents’ training. About 72% benefited from E-learning during the second period. By the end of 2020, 48.6% of participants reported being infected by the virus. The majority (97.2%) reported feeling anxious, irritable and/or depressed. The pandemic significantly decreased residents' satisfaction with their medical training (4.22±2.15 before the crisis versus 2.78±1.18 during COVID-19) (p<10-3). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic had decreased residents' level of satisfaction with their training and had negatively affected their mental health. The key findings of the present research can be a starting point to provide high quality residency training and to avoid bypassing their weaknesses in the upcoming outbreaks.