Description
In this presentation, Rob Gregory addresses the impact of COVID-19 on orthopedic training. He begins with a personal note about the anxiety of being double-booked for a session on the last day of a conference. Gregory then reflects on expectations regarding the effects of COVID on training, noting initial fears about numerous problems but highlighting operating experience as the primary issue that has actually arisen. He shares findings from an e-logbook analysis conducted over a 12-month period pre-COVID and compares it to data collected up to June of the present year.
The data reveals a dramatic decrease in logbook entries, with over 300,000 fewer cases recorded—representing a loss of 40% of the cases that trainees would typically experience. The focus on trauma cases reveals that these have only been affected minimally, while elective cases have suffered a staggering 60% loss, significantly impacting crucial procedures such as hip and knee replacements.
Despite the challenges, Gregory expresses confidence in the ability of hip surgeons to maintain training opportunities. He outlines the regional disparities in training experiences across the UK, particularly highlighting Wales as a region that has been disproportionately affected. As he guides the audience through the statistics and comparisons, he warns of a potential backlog in trainee progression and a conflict between supporting trainees requiring extensions and those entering the system.
Gregory emphasizes the imperative need to support orthopedic trainees through campaigns for better access to theater and flexibility in training schedules, advocating for the integration of training recovery into overall service recovery. In conclusion, he reiterates the importance of prioritizing the support of trainees as they are the future of the profession, stressing that preparing them adequately is vital for the health of the specialty in the coming years.