Editorial. Impact of COVID-19 on neurosurgery resident training and education
Nicholas C. Bambakidis, Krystal L. Tomei
Abstract
the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the US was reported in Washington State. By March 13, with over 2700 cases confirmed in the US, the American College of Surgeons recommended the cessation of elective surgeries. "Social distancing" became common lingo, and large gatherings, including educational conferences, were abruptly canceled. Medical students were pulled off rotations to protect them from exposure and preserve personal protective equipment (PPE). Over the following weeks, most hospitals reduced their nonessential surgery volume, performing only surgeries that were emergent, urgent, or time sensitive. One week later, more than 25,000 COVID-19 cases were confirmed, present in all 50 states. The rapid evolution of healthcare delivery into telehealth and telephonebased models changed our clinical landscape drastically. Normal inpatient volumes decreased as hospitals prepared for the surge of COVID-19 cases and potential redeployment of physicians into areas of need. We adapted rapidly. However, this was only part of the challenge that academic hospitals would face.