Background and Aims:

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is having a huge impact on clinical activity of all hospitals, including the ones involved in training of residents. In addition, neurology residents underwent substantial modifications of their training program. As young section of the Italian Society of Neurology (SIgN), we aimed to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 pandemics on the educational activities of Italian neurology residents from both a clinical and a research point of view.

Methods:

we administered, during May 2020, an online questionnaire of 22 items to all neurology residents attending the 36 Teaching Hospital in Italy.

Results:

We had a response rate of 41% from all the 36 schools. Results showed that almost 30% of the respondents were redistributed to COVID-19 units. Neurology departments underwent substantial modifications of their organization influencing clinical educational activities (Fig.1). Lessons and seminars were rescheduled online and research activities were interrupted or reduced in 59% of the cases and transferred to remote working, when feasible. There was a relevant increase in the use of telemedicine (Fig.2): around 1/3 of residents used telemedicine in case of urgency and around 1/3 for all outpatients. Unfortunately, most of the respondents had never been trained before.

The increase of work shifts, the number of residents recruited in COVID-19-dedicated units and the access to psychological support showed a North to South gradient (Fig.3), following the epidemiology of the pandemic.

Conclusions:

The data obtained from our survey highlight points to address to be prepared for the current recrudescence of COVID-19 pandemic and for possible future emergencies.

Background and Aims:

Neurology residents are facing huge modifications in the routine practice of neurological patient management and profound changes of the neurological residency programs due to COVID 19 pandemic.

As young section of the Italian Society of Neurology, we aimed at investigating the point of view of neurology residents about the future of neurology after COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:

An online questionnaire was administered to the Italian neurology residents attending all the 36 Teaching Hospital in Italy. The questionnaire was composed by six items: two dealt with the organization of neurological activities, two related to the care of patients, and the last two were on the allocation of economic resources for neurological care.

Results:

254 participated to the survey.

Organization of neurological activity: 86.2% of the participants reported that the COVID-19 pandemic will lead to a general reorganization of neurological activity in the future. 65% of the trainees argued that neurological inpatient spots will decrease in the future, with consequent increase of internist/generic inpatient beds and neurological consultations.

Patient care: 64%of residents forecasted an incrementation of outpatients’ activities with a parallel reduction of ward assistance and hospital services.

Funding availability for neurological diseases: according to 65% ofresidents,The management of neurological diseases and neuroscience research will receive less funding in the future,

Conclusions:

A rethinking of neurologist role should lead to appropriate reprogramming of training needs, to provide professionals able to deal with the whole clinical neurology. Allocations of resources should follow, to guarantee that educational systems are working to meet the healthcare demand.