1
|
Obradovic A, Toubat O, Chen NW, Siebert A, Jansen C, Christophers B, Leveille E, Noch E, Kwan JM. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on physician-scientist trainees to faculty one year into the pandemic. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2024; 24:587. [PMID: 38807106 PMCID: PMC11134762 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-024-05541-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Physician-scientists play a crucial role in advancing biomedical sciences. Proportionally fewer physicians are actively engaged in scientific pursuits, attributed to attrition in the training and retention pipeline. This national study evaluated the ongoing and longer-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stress levels, research productivity, and optimism for physician-scientists at all levels of training. METHODS A multi-institutional cross-sectional survey of medical students, graduate students, and residents/fellows/junior faculty (RFJF) was conducted from April to August 2021 to assess the impact of COVID-19 on individual stress, productivity, and optimism. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify associated variables and unsupervised variable clustering techniques were employed to identify highly correlated responses. RESULTS A total 677 respondents completed the survey, representing different stages of physician-scientist training. Respondents report high levels of stress (medical students: 85%, graduate students: 63%, RFJF: 85%) attributed to impaired productivity concerns, concern about health of family and friends, impact on personal health and impairment in training or career development. Many cited impaired productivity (medical students: 65% graduate students: 79%, RFJF: 78%) associated with pandemic impacts on training, labs closures and loss of facility/resource access, and social isolation. Optimism levels were low (medical students: 37%, graduate students: 38% and RFJF: 39%) with females less likely to be optimistic and more likely to report concerns of long-term effects of COVID-19. Optimism about the future was correlated with not worrying about the long-term effects of COVID-19. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, all respondents reported increased prioritization of time with family/friends (67%) and personal health (62%) over career (25%) and research (24%). CONCLUSIONS This national survey highlights the significant and protracted impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stress levels, productivity, and optimism among physician-scientists and trainees. These findings underscore the urgent need for tailored support, including mental health, academic, and career development assistance for this biomedical workforce.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Omar Toubat
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hospital of the, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | | | - Aisha Siebert
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Briana Christophers
- Weill Cornell-Rockefeller-Sloan Kettering Tri Institutional MD/PhD Program, New York, NY, USA
| | - Etienne Leveille
- Sections of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Evan Noch
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Jennifer M Kwan
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, 300 George St Suite 759, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Obradovic A, Toubat O, Chen NW, Siebert A, Jansen C, Christophers B, Leveille E, Noch E, Kwan JM. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Physician-Scientist Trainees to Faculty One Year into the Pandemic. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3478814. [PMID: 37986886 PMCID: PMC10659556 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3478814/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Physician-scientists play a crucial role in advancing biomedical sciences. Proportionally fewer physicians are actively engaged in scientific pursuits, attributed to attrition in the training and retention pipeline. This national study evaluated the ongoing and longer-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on research productivity for physician-scientists at all levels of training. Methods A survey of medical students, graduate students, and residents/fellows/junior faculty (RFJF) was conducted from April to August 2021 to assess the impact of COVID-19 on individual stress, productivity, and optimism. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify associated variables and unsupervised variable clustering techniques were employed to identify highly correlated responses. Results A total 677 respondents completed the survey, representing different stages of physician-scientist training. Respondents report high levels of stress (medical students: 85%, graduate students: 63%, RFJF: 85%) attributed to impaired productivity concerns, concern about health of family and friends, impact on personal health and impairment in training or career development. Many cited impaired productivity (medical students: 65% graduate students: 79%, RFJF: 78%) associated with pandemic impacts on training, labs closures and loss of facility/resource access, and social isolation. Optimism levels were low (medical students: 37%, graduate students: 38% and RFJF: 39%) with females less likely to be optimistic and more likely to report concerns of long-term effects of COVID-19. Optimism about the future was correlated with not worrying about the long-term effects of COVID-19. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, all respondents reported increased prioritization of time with family/friends (67%) and personal health (62%) over career (25%) and research (24%). Conclusions This national survey highlights the significant and protracted impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stress levels, productivity, and optimism among physician-scientists and trainees. These findings underscore the urgent need for tailored support, including mental health, academic, and career development assistance for this biomedical workforce.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Omar Toubat
- O.T, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Van Wart A, Djorić D, D’Silva NM, Layton R, Hardy L, Suelzer E, Tetzlaff JE. An emerging field: An evaluation of biomedical graduate student and postdoctoral education and training research across seven decades. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282262. [PMID: 37490486 PMCID: PMC10368290 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomedical graduate student and postdoctoral education and training research has expanded greatly over the last seven decades, leading to increased publications and the emergence of a field. The goal of this study was to analyze this growth by performing a cross-sectional bibliometric analysis using a systematic approach to better understand the publishing trends (including historical vs. emerging themes and research priorities); depth, structure, and evidence-basis of content; and venues for publication. The analysis documented a dramatic increase in biomedical trainee-related publications over time and showed that this area of research is maturing into its own independent field. Results demonstrated that the most frequently published article types in this field are shorter editorial and opinion pieces, and that evidence-based articles are less numerous. However, if current trends continue, projections indicate that by the year 2035, evidence-based articles will be the dominating article type published in this field. Most frequently published topics included career outcomes and workforce characterization and professional development. In recent years, the most cited articles were publications focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, career outcomes and workforce characterization, and wellness. This study also shows that although a small subset of journals publishes most of this literature, publications are distributed diffusely across a wide range of journals and that surprisingly 68% of these journals have published only a single article on the topic. Further, we noted that the assignment of author- and index-supplied keywords was variable and inconsistent and speculate that this could create challenges to conducting comprehensive literature searches. Recommendations to address this include establishing standard keyword assignment criteria and proposing new index-supplied keywords to improve accessibility of research findings. These changes will be important for bringing visibility of this literature to our community, institutional leaders, national trainee organizations, and funding agencies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Audra Van Wart
- Division of Biology and Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Dušanka Djorić
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Natalie M. D’Silva
- Division of Biology and Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
- Vascular Research Laboratory, Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Rebekah Layton
- Office of Graduate Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - LaKeya Hardy
- Office of Graduate Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Suelzer
- MCW Libraries, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Julie E. Tetzlaff
- Division of Pediatric Pathology, Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
van Tienoven TP, Glorieux A, Minnen J, te Braak P, Spruyt B. Graduate students locked down? PhD students' satisfaction with supervision during the first and second COVID-19 lockdown in Belgium. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268923. [PMID: 35605012 PMCID: PMC9126403 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Supervisor support is crucial for the successful and timely completion of the PhD and the largest contributor to PhD students’ overall job satisfaction. The COVID-19 pandemic affected PhD students’ life substantially through delayed experiments, missed timelines, running out of funding, change to online team- and supervisor meetings, mandatory working from home, and social confinement. Aim This contribution considers PhD students’ satisfaction scores to reflect the extent to which PhD students felt supported by their supervisor during the COVID-19 pandemic so far and aims to investigate to what extent did PhD students’ satisfaction with supervisor support changed over time. Method It uses two longitudinal two cohorts of wave 4 to 5 of the PhD Survey at a Belgian university. These cohorts are representative of two different ways the COVID-19 pandemic might have impacted doctoral research. Cohort 1 (n = 345) includes a pre-COVID measurement (April-May 2019) and a measurement immediately after the start of the abrupt lockdown in April-May 2020. Cohort 2 (n = 349) includes the measurement at the onset of the pandemic in 2020 and after a year with continuously changing containment policies (April-May 2021). The composite measure of satisfaction with supervisor support is based on six items with high internal consistency. Results No significant net effect of time was revealed. Instead within subject interactions with time showed that in cohort 1, PhD students at the start of their PhD trajectory and PhD students with family responsibilities reported lower supervisor satisfaction scores over time. In cohort 2, PhD students not pursuing academic careers reported lower satisfaction scores over time. Conclusion In times of crises, special attention needs to be paid to PhD students who are extra susceptible to uncertainties because of their junior status or personal situation, and especially those PhD students for whom doctoral research is not a trajectory to position themselves in academia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anaïs Glorieux
- Research Group TOR, Sociology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Joeri Minnen
- Research Group TOR, Sociology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Petrus te Braak
- Research Group TOR, Sociology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bram Spruyt
- Research Group TOR, Sociology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dong C, Yu Z, Liu W, Zhang Y, Zhang Z, Zhang L, Cui Z, Fan X, Zhu Y, Peng H, Gao B, Ma X. Impact of COVID-19 social distancing on medical research from the perspective of postgraduate students: a cross-sectional online survey. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13384. [PMID: 35582619 PMCID: PMC9107783 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate the impact of COVID-19 social distancing on medical research from the perspective of postgraduate students. Methods A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted from October 31 to November 1, 2021. A questionnaire was used to assess the impact of COVID-19 social distancing on medical research among postgraduate students. The questionnaire included basic information, medical research information, and information about social distancing measures. Participants also completed the self-made Research Work Affected Scale of Postgraduates (RWAS-P; qualitative evaluation: very mildly 0-10; mildly 11-20; moderately 21-30; severely 31-40; very severely 41-50). Logistic regression was used to identify factors related to the impact of COVID-19 social distancing. Results A total of 468 participants were analyzed; 95.2% of the participants adhered to social distancing measures. The median total RWAS-P score was 22. The median RWAS-P scores for earlier research data, current research projects, future research plans, paper publication, and graduation schedule were 2, 6, 6, 6, and 4, respectively (score range 0-10). The higher grade of students, experimental research, and existence of inappetence or sleeplessness were related to negative attitude towards COVID-19 social distancing (odd ratio = 6.35, 9.80, 2.31, 2.15, 1.95, respectively). Conclusions Participants reported that social distancing had a moderate overall impact on their medical research. Social distancing had the greatest impact on current research projects, future research plans, and paper publications among postgraduate students. Higher grade level, experimental research type, inappetence, and sleeplessness were related to the impact of social distancing on their medical research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Dong
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhou Yu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhiwei Cui
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiao Fan
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuhan Zhu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Han Peng
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Botao Gao
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xianjie Ma
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wilkinson C, Finn G, Crampton P. Responsibility with a Safety Net: Exploring the Medical Student to Junior Doctor Transition During COVID-19. MEDICAL SCIENCE EDUCATOR 2022; 32:121-129. [PMID: 34873496 PMCID: PMC8635475 DOI: 10.1007/s40670-021-01476-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Foundation Interim Year-one (FiY1) Programme was part of a UK strategy to increase the medical workforce in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the strategy was introduced urgently without evidence. We sought to explore the transition experience of medical student to FiY1 to foundation doctor, with a view to inform future undergraduate education. METHODS In this hermeneutic phenomenology study, semi-structured individual interviews were completed with nine foundation doctors who had experience of an FiY1 placement. A template analysis approach was taken, and themes reported. RESULTS Participants reported that FiY1 tended to offer a positive experience of transition as a stepping stone to becoming a foundation doctor. Having a degree of clinical responsibility including the right to prescribe medication with supervision was highly valued, as was feeling a core member of the healthcare team. Participants perceived that FiY1 made them more prepared for the foundation transition, and more resilient to the challenges they faced during their first foundation job. DISCUSSION The FiY1 fostered many opportunities for junior doctors to bridge the transition to foundation doctor. Aspects of the FiY1 programme, such as early licencing and increased team membership, should be considered for final-year students in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chris Wilkinson
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, William Leech Building, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH UK
- Health Professions Education Unit, Hull York Medical School, York, UK
| | - Gabrielle Finn
- Health Professions Education Unit, Hull York Medical School, York, UK
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Paul Crampton
- Health Professions Education Unit, Hull York Medical School, York, UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Correction: Biomedical graduate student experiences during the COVID-19 university closure. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0261553. [PMID: 34905586 PMCID: PMC8670685 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
|