Tinelli et al investigated the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on vascular surgery education.
100 subjects were included in the study, including 64 vascular surgeons, 24 vascular surgery residents, and 12 medial students from 14 countries. Results of the study show that the majority of classes continued with alternative learning and teaching methods.
76 subjects reported lessons being online, 3 subjects reported that face-to-face lectures continued, while 21 subjects reported that lessons stopped completely due to the pandemic.
74% of medical students included in the study reported that practical training was suspended, while 18% of resident physician’s practical training was suspended.
In 67% of cases, the practical learning was not replaced with alternative methods. 17 subjects reported replacement of practical learning with surgical videos, 7 subjects reported practical learning was replaced with surgical theatre video, and 1 subject reported virtual reality to be the replacement for practical, hands-on learning.
96 out of 100 subjects answered that they believe the pandemic has had an impact on their vascular surgery education.
It is concluded by the results of the study that practical learning is a crucial tool for the vascular surgery specialty, and should not be overlooked during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tinelli et al states that practical training should be complemented by digital tools and vascular surgery education should be enhanced during the pandemic.
Tinelli G, Sica S, Minelli F and Tshomba Y. Vascular Surgery Education During Covid-19 Pandemic. J Vasc Surgery 2020; 72(2); 763-764.