Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric surgical training across Europe.

Abstract

The rapid spread of COVID-19 had a tremendous impact on healthcare systems and the medical community, as resources were diverted towards priority setting. In many specialties, both non-urgent and urgent activities were reduced or postponed1. Although children were marginally affected by the pandemic, paediatric surgical services were significantly affected2. Moreover, the entire medical educational system, and particularly surgical training, was compromised as was the well-being of trainees3. The changes and challenges imposed by the pandemic on trainee education are largely under-reported. This study aimed to assess the effects of the pandemic on paediatric surgical resident activity and training throughout Europe.