COVID-19 Resident Education Guide

COVID-19 Resident Education Guide

In light of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic, the ACGME has recognized that institutions and their participating sites are operating at one of the following three stages:

The following is a guide to approaching resident education for each stage. We will update this page regularly—if you have any resources or ideas to share, please email us. You can also check out our more general list of Provider Care resources.

Stage 1: Preparation

At this stage, there is reduced clinical work as clinics switch to video or telephone visits and elective procedures are cancelled. Many residents and faculty will be struggling with the stress of increased childcare and worry for their own or others’ safety in the weeks to come.

Formal Curriculum

  • Weekly teaching conferences to continue, held virtually (Zoom)
  • Small group activities utilizing faculty who may be “stood down” from clinical activities but not yet redeployed—for example:
    • Case based learning
    • Oral board review
    • Radiology sessions
  • Question Prep
  • Important Considerations:
    • Some residents may be dealing with childcare concerns—exercise caution with making anything mandatory.
    • If possible, record sessions to archive in a library that can become an enduring resource for the program.

Wellness Resources

Model a healthy lifestyle, social interactions and support.

Example activities:

  • Daily Wellness Challenge
  • Mindfulness and Meditation
  • Exercise or yoga classes

Stage 2: Increased Clinical Demands

Trainees are likely asked to shift patient care duties. They may be redeployed to units that they are less familiar with, and they are increasingly evaluating or treating COVID+ patients. At this stage, there are still likely more people off clinical responsibilities than usual, as providers rotate weekly to “preserve the workforce.”

Curriculum

Education focuses on pandemic preparedness, ventilator and ICU management, and pulmonary physiology.

COVID-19 Education

Ventilator Management

Critical Care Review

Wellness Resources

Focus on dealing with anxiety and acute stress.

Stage 3: Pandemic Emergency Status

Trainees shift to clinical care duties and majority of educational activities are suspended. The focus on this stage is ensuring wellness and having formal processes to check in on everyone in the program.

Wellness Resources

Focus on dealing with anxiety and acute stress.

Online Resources for Medical Education During Quarantine

In the “calm before the storm” setting (prior to anticipated COVID-19 surge), many programs have shifted to teams or rotating schedules to keep some providers at home in the effort to preserve the workforce. Educational activities can continue virtually and there are many resources already available.

General Surgery:

Internal Medicine:

Radiology: