key: cord-0987330-u24tnrbl
authors: Bhamidipati, Castigliano M.; Song, Howard K.
title: Commentary: Adaptations to COVID-19 or Permanent Reforms in the “New Normal”?
date: 2020-06-25
journal: J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2020.06.051
sha: add42cb3782b59327134cf217b9f69dce25e570e
doc_id: 987330
cord_uid: u24tnrbl

nan

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all societal institutions in a way that we are all still struggling to understand. The experiences of our colleagues from the front lines of the pandemic are useful as we assess the downstream effects of the pandemic on our specialty. In The professionalism exhibited by trainees from all fields during the pandemic can be a source of pride for the medical profession. The pandemic has presented an opportunity for us all to contribute directly to the efforts against this disruptive force. As educators, it is our duty first and foremost to ensure the wellbeing of our trainees and their families through the provision of adequate PPE and testing. We must also safeguard their professional wellbeing by preserving educational opportunities whenever possible, prioritizing training especially in the operating room, and developing creative solutions to meet and teach while maintaining social distancing. 2 If the impact to cardiothoracic surgery education is prolonged, the specialty should reaffirm our commitment to training affected trainees until their mastery of the field is achieved. Some adaptations to the pandemic may prove to be permanent reforms to cardiothoracic surgery training, such as developing a competency based assessment rather than relying on arbitrary case numbers or a period of time. The specialty can also develop a pathway to accommodate trainees taking a six month period off from training to tend to family emergencies, pregnancy, and pandemics.

Impact of Covid-19 on training and wellbeing in subspecialty surgery: a national survey of cardiothoracic trainees in the United Kingdom

Practical Implications of Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 on Hospital Operations, Board Certification, and Medical Education in Surgery in the USA

Cardiothoracic Education in the Time of COVID-19: How I Teach It

Contemporary Challenges for Fellowship Training in Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology: Perspectives From Program Directors Around the United States

The work of creating a "new normal" for cardiothoracic surgery education is already underway. 3, 4 The COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating reform in traditional institutions such as cardiothoracic surgery. We may do well to keep some of our adaptations to the COVID-19 pandemic as permanent reforms when the "new normal" arrives.