Impact of covid-19 pandemic on residency programs in italy: A cross-sectional study

The current COVID-19 pandemic has imposed a remodulation of hospital activities. This has resulted in an increase in the workload for those sectors directly involved in the emergency (infectious diseases, hygiene and preventive medicine, intensive care, etc.) and a drastic reduction in the activities of other sectors, especially those related to surgery. In this perspective, the Italian Young Doctors Association (SIGM) conducted a survey with the aim to provide an overview of the impact of COVID-19 on the training programs of Italian medical residents. Overall, 630 medical residents were recruited in the study and completed the questionnaire. In some cases the medical training programs resulted completely interrupted, not only from the point of view of practical activity, but also with regard to frontal didactical activities (classes, seminars, discussion of clinical cases, or audits). A national preparedness and response strategy, including a clear local leadership to avoid a catastrophic impact on residency program in the upcoming emergency settings, should be defined and implemented.