The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Urology Residency Training Programs in the Philippines: A Descriptive Study

Daryl K. Koa; Alfredo  Uy Jr.; Eli Paul F. Madrona; Rodney M. Del Rio; Meliton  Alpas III; Karl Marvin M. Tan; Romeo Lloyd T. Romero; Ralph  Rabanal; Ryan Josef Tuazon; Jan Ernest Guy G. Yadao

Vol. 31 No. 1 (2021), Original Research

Vol. 31 No. 1 (2021)

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Urology Residency Training Programs in the Philippines: A Descriptive Study

Original Research

Published 2022-01-25

Daryl K. Koa, MD⁺⁻
Alfredo Uy Jr., MD, FPUA⁺⁻
Eli Paul F. Madrona, MD, FPUA⁺⁻
Rodney M. Del Rio, MD, FPUA⁺⁻
Meliton Alpas III, MD, FPUA⁺⁻
Karl Marvin M. Tan, MD, FPUA⁺⁻
Romeo Lloyd T. Romero, MD⁺⁻
Ralph Rabanal, MD⁺⁻
Ryan Josef Tuazon, MD⁺⁻
Jan Ernest Guy G. Yadao, MD⁺⁻

Daryl K. Koa, MD

Section of Urology, Department of Surgery, Veterans Memorial Medical Center

Alfredo Uy Jr., MD, FPUA

Section of Urology, Department of Surgery, Veterans Memorial Medical Center Department of Surgery

Eli Paul F. Madrona, MD, FPUA

Section of Urology, Department of Surgery, Veterans Memorial Medical Center Department of Surgery

Rodney M. Del Rio, MD, FPUA

Section of Urology, Department of Surgery, Veterans Memorial Medical Center Department of Surgery

Meliton Alpas III, MD, FPUA

Section of Urology, Department of Surgery, Veterans Memorial Medical Center Department of Surgery

Karl Marvin M. Tan, MD, FPUA

Section of Urology, Department of Surgery, Veterans Memorial Medical Center Department of Surgery

Romeo Lloyd T. Romero, MD

Section of Urology, Department of Surgery, Veterans Memorial Medical Center Department of Surgery

Ralph Rabanal, MD

Section of Urology, Department of Surgery, Veterans Memorial Medical Center Department of Surgery

Ryan Josef Tuazon, MD

Section of Urology, Department of Surgery, Veterans Memorial Medical Center Department of Surgery

Jan Ernest Guy G. Yadao, MD

Section of Urology, Department of Surgery, Veterans Memorial Medical Center Department of Surgery

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Keywords

COVID-19
urology
Philippines
pandemic
residency

How to Cite

Koa, D. K., Uy Jr., A. ., Madrona, E. P. F., Del Rio, R. M., Alpas III, M. ., Tan, K. M. M., Romero, R. L. T., Rabanal, R. ., Tuazon, R. J., & Yadao, J. E. G. G. (2022). The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Urology Residency Training Programs in the Philippines: A Descriptive Study. Philippine Journal of Urology, 31(1). Retrieved from https://pjuonline.com/index.php/pju/article/view/126

Abstract

Objective: To provide an overview on the impact of healthcare disruption by the COVID-19 pandemic to urology training programs in the Philippines

Methods: A survey questionnaire was used in collaboration with the study done by Rosen, et al. last May 2020. Telephone survey of the study population was done determining the status of resident staffing, workload, health/wellness, and didactics. Numerical and categorical data were analyzed and descriptive statistics are provided.

Results: All the observations on resident time in the workplace, including assignment to teams (81%), redeployment responses (55-97%), and remote clinical work (65%) were significant. Fifty one percent of residents have decreased research load. Eighty one percent have didactics in small groups. Fifty-five percent have 1 to 2 Video-based learning/conferences per week (p=0.007) followed by those with 3-4 with 98% (p=0.120) and those with >5 with only 6% (p=0.729). For Resident health and wellness, 87% of the residents were exposed to COVID-positive patients, but only 8% of residents were COVID positive (p=0.591). Lastly, 59% of the participants do not have access to wellness programs.

Conclusion: Data from respondents revealed significant changes in the different aspects of the present study. Urology residents spent more time away from their specialties, and have been re-deployed to COVID-19 floors. Ambulatory services, conferences, educational lectures have mostly shifted to virtual platforms. Resident concerns for COVID-19 exposure have been addressed properly; however, wellness programs have not been widely available for residents. As a first national survey, the present study may give significant insights on program changes and may be used as preliminary data for future studies.

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