The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on training in obstetrics and gynaecology in the UK

During the COVID-19 pandemic clinical practice in obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) underwent swift and dramatic changes, some transient, others permanent. Training, continuous professional development, educational supervision, and other non-patient facing roles were initially paused. Trainees and trainers saw unprecedented changes to their working patterns. With these changes it is unsurprising there was a significant effect on training in O&G. For the majority obstetric training was unaffected. However, most trainees reported a reduction to their gynaecological training. Furthermore, three quarters of trainees reported COVID had negatively impacted on both their physical and mental well-being. Training recovery has been proactively managed and the impact on progression for many mitigated. There is no doubt the COVID-19 impacted training in O&G. The pandemic has had a greater impact on gynaecological training than obstetric training. The impact on gynaecological operative training persists. The long-term effects on trainees remain to be seen.