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Chakraborty LS, Le Maitre CL, Chahine NO, Fields AJ, Gawri R, Giers MB, Smith LJ, Tang SY, Zehra U, Haglund L, Samartzis D, Martin JT. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the productivity and career prospects of musculoskeletal researchers. J Orthop Res 2024. [PMID: 38678396 DOI: 10.1002/jor.25866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/30/2024]
Abstract
Academic researchers faced a multitude of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, including widespread shelter-in-place orders, workplace closures, and cessation of in-person meetings and laboratory activities. The extent to which these challenges impacted musculoskeletal researchers, specifically, is unknown. We developed an anonymous web-based survey to determine the pandemic's impact on research productivity and career prospects among musculoskeletal research trainees and faculty. There were 116 musculoskeletal (MSK) researchers with varying demographic backgrounds who completed the survey. Of respondents, 48.3% (n = 56) believed that musculoskeletal funding opportunities decreased because of COVID-19, with faculty members more likely to hold this belief compared to nonfaculty researchers (p = 0.008). Amongst MSK researchers, 88.8% (n = 103) reported research activity was limited by COVID-19, and 92.2% (n = 107) of researchers reported their research was not able to be refocused on COVID-19-related topics, with basic science researchers less likely to be able to refocus their research compared to clinical researchers (p = 0.030). Additionally, 47.4% (n = 55) reported a decrease in manuscript submissions since the onset of the pandemic. Amongst 51 trainee researchers, 62.8% (n = 32) reported a decrease in job satisfaction directly attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic. In summary, study findings indicated that MSK researchers struggled to overcome challenges imposed by the pandemic, reporting declines in funding opportunities, research productivity, and manuscript submission. Trainee researchers experienced significant disruptions to critical research activities and worsening job satisfaction. Our findings motivate future efforts to support trainees in developing their careers and target the recovery of MSK research from the pandemic stall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren S Chakraborty
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Christine L Le Maitre
- Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Nadeen O Chahine
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Aaron J Fields
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Rahul Gawri
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Morgan B Giers
- School of Chemical, Biological & Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Lachlan J Smith
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Simon Y Tang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Uruj Zehra
- Department of Anatomy, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Lisbet Haglund
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Dino Samartzis
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - John T Martin
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Barajas JN, Hornung AL, Kuzel T, Mallow GM, Park GJ, Rudisill SS, Louie PK, Harada GK, McCarthy MH, Germscheid N, Cheung JP, Neva MH, El-Sharkawi M, Valacco M, Sciubba DM, Chutkan NB, An HS, Samartzis D. The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Spine Surgeons Worldwide: A One Year Prospective Comparative Study. Global Spine J 2024; 14:956-969. [PMID: 36176014 PMCID: PMC9527127 DOI: 10.1177/21925682221131540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Survey. OBJECTIVE In March of 2020, an original study by Louie et al investigated the impact of COVID-19 on 902 spine surgeons internationally. Since then, due to varying government responses and public health initiatives to the pandemic, individual countries and regions of the world have been affected differently. Therefore, this follow-up study aimed to assess how the COVID-19 impact on spine surgeons has changed 1 year later. METHODS A repeat, multi-dimensional, 90-item survey written in English was distributed to spine surgeons worldwide via email to the AO Spine membership who agreed to receive surveys. Questions were categorized into the following domains: demographics, COVID-19 observations, preparedness, personal impact, patient care, and future perceptions. RESULTS Basic respondent demographics, such as gender, age, home demographics, medical comorbidities, practice type, and years since training completion, were similar to those of the original 2020 survey. Significant differences between groups included reasons for COVID testing, opinions of media coverage, hospital unemployment, likelihood to be performing elective surgery, percentage of cases cancelled, percentage of personal income, sick leave, personal time allocation, stress coping mechanisms, and the belief that future guidelines were needed (P<.05). CONCLUSION Compared to baseline results collected at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, significant differences in various domains related to COVID-19 perceptions, hospital preparedness, practice impact, personal impact, and future perceptions have developed. Follow-up assessment of spine surgeons has further indicated that telemedicine and virtual education are mainstays. Such findings may help to inform and manage expectations and responses to any future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan N Barajas
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- International Spine Research & Innovation Initiative (ISRII), Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alexander L Hornung
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- International Spine Research & Innovation Initiative (ISRII), Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Timothy Kuzel
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- International Spine Research & Innovation Initiative (ISRII), Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Gary M Mallow
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- International Spine Research & Innovation Initiative (ISRII), Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Grant J Park
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- International Spine Research & Innovation Initiative (ISRII), Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Samuel S Rudisill
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- International Spine Research & Innovation Initiative (ISRII), Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Philip K Louie
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience Institute, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Garrett K Harada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Irvine, Orange, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Jason Py Cheung
- Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China
| | - Marko H Neva
- Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Mohammad El-Sharkawi
- Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Assiut University Medical School, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Marcelo Valacco
- Department of Orthopaedics, Churruca Hospital de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniel M Sciubba
- Department of Neurosurgery, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra, Hempstead, NY, USA
| | - Norman B Chutkan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Howard S An
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- International Spine Research & Innovation Initiative (ISRII), Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Dino Samartzis
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- International Spine Research & Innovation Initiative (ISRII), Chicago, IL, USA
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Martin JT, Asimakopoulos D, Hornung AL, Toro SJ, Le Maitre CL, Chahine NO, Fields AJ, Gawri R, Giers MB, Smith LJ, Tang SY, Zehra U, Haglund L, Samartzis D. Bullying, harassment, and discrimination of musculoskeletal researchers and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: an international study. Eur Spine J 2023; 32:1861-1875. [PMID: 37014436 PMCID: PMC10071222 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-023-07684-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Bullying, harassment, and discrimination (BHD) are prevalent in academic, scientific, and clinical departments, particularly orthopedic surgery, and can have lasting effects on victims. As it is unclear how BHD affects musculoskeletal (MSK) researchers, the following study assessed BHD in the MSK research community and whether the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused hardships in other industries, had an impact. METHODS A web-based anonymous survey was developed in English by ORS Spine Section members to assess the impact of COVID-19 on MSK researchers in North America, Europe, and Asia, which included questions to evaluate the personal experience of researchers regarding BHD. RESULTS 116 MSK researchers completed the survey. Of respondents, 34.5% (n = 40) focused on spine, 30.2% (n = 35) had multiple areas of interest, and 35.3% (n = 41) represented other areas of MSK research. BHD was observed by 26.7% (n = 31) of respondents and personally experienced by 11.2% (n = 13), with mid-career faculty both observing and experiencing the most BHD. Most who experienced BHD (53.8%, n = 7) experienced multiple forms. 32.8% (n = 38) of respondents were not able to speak out about BHD without fear of repercussions, with 13.8% (n = 16) being unsure about this. Of those who observed BHD, 54.8% (n = 17) noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had no impact on their observations. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first study to address the prevalence and determinants of BHD among MSK researchers. MSK researchers experienced and observed BHD, while many were not comfortable reporting and discussing violations to their institution. The COVID-19 pandemic had mixed-effects on BHD. Awareness and proactive policy changes may be warranted to reduce/eliminate the occurrence of BHD in this community.
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Affiliation(s)
- John T Martin
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Building, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- International Spine Research and Innovation Initiative, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, USA
| | | | - Alexander L Hornung
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Building, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- International Spine Research and Innovation Initiative, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, USA
| | - Sheila J Toro
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Building, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- International Spine Research and Innovation Initiative, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, USA
| | | | - Nadeen O Chahine
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Aaron J Fields
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California in San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
| | - Rahul Gawri
- Department of Surgery, The Orthopaedic Research Laboratory Montreal General Hospital, McGill University, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Room C10.148.2, Montreal, QC, H3G 1A4, Canada
| | - Morgan B Giers
- School of Chemical, Biological & Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA
| | - Lachlan J Smith
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Simon Y Tang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University, St. Louis, USA
| | - Uruj Zehra
- Department of Anatomy, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Lisbet Haglund
- Department of Surgery, The Orthopaedic Research Laboratory Montreal General Hospital, McGill University, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Room C10.148.2, Montreal, QC, H3G 1A4, Canada.
| | - Dino Samartzis
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Building, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
- International Spine Research and Innovation Initiative, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, USA.
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Hess MC, Collins CS, Mabry SE, Hicks JW, Levitt EB, Rajaram S. COVID-19 and Acute Cervical Spinal Cord Injury-Case Report of 2 Patients: Do We Need to Rethink Our Standard Treatment Strategy? Clin Spine Surg 2021; 34:269-272. [PMID: 33769976 PMCID: PMC8354562 DOI: 10.1097/bsd.0000000000001162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN This was a case series. OBJECTIVE The authors sought to examine the high-risk population of COVID-positive patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) in a large level 1 trauma and tertiary referral center. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA There are limited studies regarding the surgical management of patients with acute SCI in the setting of the recent coronavirus pandemic. METHODS The authors describe the cases of 2 patients who died from COVID-related complications after acute cervical SCI. RESULTS Patients with SCI are at increased risk of pulmonary complications. COVID-19 infection represents a double hit in this patient population, increasing potential morbidity and mortality in the perioperative time frame. Careful consideration must be made regarding the timing of potential surgical intervention in the treatment of acute SCI. CONCLUSIONS Nationwide database of COVID-positive patients with acute spinal cord injury should be collected and analyzed to better understand how to manage acute SCI in the COVID-19 era. The authors recommend preoperative discussion in patients with acute cervical SCI with COVID-19, specifically emphasizing the increased risk of respiratory complications and mortality.
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Winking M, Conzen M, Flechtenmacher J, Pumberger M. Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Management of Spinal Disorders - Results of a National Survey. Z Orthop Unfall 2020; 159:32-38. [PMID: 33027839 PMCID: PMC8043592 DOI: 10.1055/a-1241-4934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Introduction
Far-reaching political steps to contain the COVID-19 pandemic have been undertaken in recent weeks. These also impact on surgical specialties not directly involved in the management of patients infected with the coronavirus. The Spine Section, the interdisciplinary professional political arm of the German Spine Society (DWG), the Professional Association for Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery (BVOU), and the Federal Association of German Neurosurgeons (BDNC) conducted a survey on the collateral effects of the pandemic on spine surgery in Germany.
Method
This cross-sectional study included outpatient, day-patient and inpatient facilities caring for patients with spinal disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey was designed to analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management of inpatients and outpatients with spinal disorders and to assess the economic ramifications in the various settings.
Results
All members of the Spine Section (n = 134) were invited to participate in the questionnaire consented by BVOU and BDNC. The questions were answered anonymously, and the personal data entered did not permit any de-anonymisation. All in all, 68% (n = 91) of the respondents completed the survey in full. Based on the type of employment (practice 30%, practice/staff: 45% and staff: 25%) and range of activities (conservative: 5%, conservative/operative: 75%, operative: 20%) the survey by the Spine Section can be regarded as representative. 95% of the practices/outpatient clinics reported a decline in their number of patients. In addition, the number of operations performed fell by 36% (SD 17%). The percentage of elective procedures declined from approximately 78% to 6%. As a result, more than half of the physicians anticipated moderate (20 – 40%) economic challenges and 25% major (> 50%) financial problems.
Conclusion
In order to cushion collateral damage in the wake of future pandemic management, any implications in the interdisciplinary management of patients with spinal disorders should be based on these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Winking
- Referat Wirbelsäule, German Spine Society, Berlin, Germany.,Professional Association of German Neurosurgeons (BDNC), Jena, Germany.,Neurosurgery Practice, Center for Spine Surgery, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Michael Conzen
- Referat Wirbelsäule, German Spine Society, Berlin, Germany.,Professional Association of German Neurosurgeons (BDNC), Jena, Germany.,Neurosurgery Practice, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Johannes Flechtenmacher
- Referat Wirbelsäule, German Spine Society, Berlin, Germany.,Professional Association for Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery (BVOU), Berlin, Germany.,Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Ortho-Centre Karlsruhe Orthopedic Group Practice at Ludwigsplatz, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Matthias Pumberger
- Referat Wirbelsäule, German Spine Society, Berlin, Germany.,Professional Association for Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery (BVOU), Berlin, Germany.,Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
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