Learning in surgical residences during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico

María N. Gómez-Herrera, Departamento de Cirugía General, Hospital General Dr. Miguel Silva, Morelia, Michoacán, México
Celina Cuéllar-Aguirre, Departamento de Cirugía General, Hospital General de Boca del Río, Secretaría de Salud, Boca del Río, Veracruz, México
María E. Baridó-Murguía, Departamento de Cirugía General, Médica Sur, Ciudad de México, México
Irma Sánchez-Montes, Servicio de Cirugía General, Hospital General Tláhuac, Secretaría de Salud de la Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México, México
María del C. Barradas-Guevara, Departamento de Cirugía General, Hospital General de Cholula, Secretaría de Salud, Cholula, Puebla. México
Gloria González-Uribe, Hospital General de Tijuana, Secretaría de Salud, Tijuana, Baja California. México

Objective: To bring up which was the surgical resident’s perception about their learning experience during COVID-19 pandemic and if it interfered or not with their classes. Method: Cross-sectional observational study through an anonymous survey conducted among surgical residents. The Mexican Association of General Surgery, through its Women in Surgery Committee, created a questionnaire that included 40 questions. Results: 465 participants were included in the survey: 225 women (48.3%), 240 men (51.7%); of 32 entities, only 26 participated. A great part of them said their skills and abilities were affected because elective surgeries were called off. While 303 residents stayed at hybrid hospitals, while a third of them were at 100% Covid facilities. Residents who were on call worked at COVID-19 units. They continued attending class through online platforms and only 134 were able to practice their skills using simulators. 71% of the residents were infected with COVID-19, all were tested to confirm it, and the number of asymptomatic cases was unknown. Conclusions: COVID-19 pandemic has affected the learning process of surgical residents in Mexico.

Keywords: Learning. COVID-19 pandemic. Medical education. SARS CoV-2. Learning in M�xico.