PERSONAL, PROFESSIONAL, AND EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGES FACED BY THE POSTGRADUATE RESIDENTS OF GYNECOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS IN PESHAWAR DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Objectives: To find out the personal, professional, and educational challenges in training by the post-graduate residents of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the three tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Methods: This was a web-based cross-sectional study conducted among the postgraduate residents of Gynecology and Obstetrics in the three main teaching hospitals of Peshawar, from 1st April 2020 to 31st July 2020. A structured survey using Google forms was distributed among 98 postgraduate residents through emails and social media platforms. The challenges faced and their severity was assessed using the Likert Scale. Results were analyzed in Microsoft Excel.   Results: Total number of participants was 98, with 99% being female. The mean age was 28.3±1.8 years.  Their worst fear was of the family getting infected (86.7%). Their greatest challenge was the inability to practice social distancing due to the nature of their work (85%) amidst a lack of PPEs (51%). Their training suffered due to inadequate opportunities for elective surgeries (78%).   Conclusion: Post-graduate residents in Gynaecology/Obstetrics faced substantial personal, professional, and educational challenges while training during the covid-19 pandemic.   Keywords: training, challenges, Covid-19, postgraduate residents, Obstetrics and Gynecology