Assessing the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Training at the MD Anderson Cancer Center Anatomical Pathology Fellowship Program

Abstract

Context.— To provide high-quality, safe training during the COVID-19 pandemic, our anatomic pathology fellowship program implemented a hybrid virtual/in-person training model with supplemental digital material. Objective.— To evaluate the impact of this model. Design.— We examined Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education survey results and board pass rates for fellows before the pandemic (group 1); during the pandemic peak (group 2); and early and late after the pandemic peak (groups 3 and 4). Additionally, we distributed an online survey including questions related to performance as attending physicians and fellowship experience to recent graduates. Results.— Information loss during handover, supervision and teaching by faculty, and having at least 4 free days a month exhibited the greatest score declines between group 1 and groups 2, 3, and 4 on the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education surveys. No differences were seen in board passing rates between groups. The groups did not differ in responses regarding preparation for role as attending, confidence in role as attending, or overall impression of the fellowship program. The pandemic-affected groups responded more positively on the perceived utility of supplemental digital material, impact of digital pathology on quality of education, and impact of supplemental digital material on familiarity with digital pathology. The difference was particularly large between group 1 and combined groups 3 and 4. Conclusions.— Despite the limitations noted, the hybrid training model was effective and successfully prepared fellows for their role as attending physicians. Similar studies can be informative for the implementation of similar programs or for the meaningful integration of digital pathology into training curricula.