Training in cardiac surgery during the epidemic:
Cancellation of elective surgery and outpatient activities was bound to
affect training in cardiothoracic surgery. Furthermore teaching
sessions, conferences, and courses were cancelled because of the
pandemic. Residents created a COVID work-schedule. The schedule was made
to ensure that the minimum number of residents are at work at a given
point, that allowed for equal distribution of training opportunities in
the operating room. The gap created by lack of elective activities was
filled by a twice daily virtual didactic teaching sessions. Redeployment
to other services was also discussed and a schedule of residents
available to support ICU team was made. The number of cases logged by
residents in the period March-May was minimal, but a different type of
learning took place, more suited for the times and more purposeful. As
the elective workload returned towards normality, the virtual teaching
sessions reduced in frequency. The COVID work schedule lasted until May
and residents resumed their usual work pattern by June. Clearly, they
effect of the pandemic was pronounced on training opportunities but
residents like other staff groups demonstrated adaptability to the times
and rose to the challenges.