Changing Teaching Trends During Covid-19 And Its Impact On Ent Residency Program In India: A Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented an unmatched challenge to the ENT residency programs to adapt to a form of web-based learning process and stimulation-based training. It also focuses on the mental stress underwent and the viewpoint of the residents to the paradigm shift in clinical care and academics. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was created in an online survey generator with 22 questions with limited options (yes/no) and was circulated through email and what’s app which has been responded to by 240 ENT residents throughout the country. The questionnaire was divided into five sections, demographics, knowledge about COVID-19 and its management, impact on clinical activity, academics and mental well-being section. Results: Out of 240 respondents, 190(79.2%) were junior residents and 50(20.8%) were senior residents. Although many of them knew the necessary precautions to be taken, 94(39.8%) turned out to be positive themselves with the high fear of transmitting to their family members. Three-fourth participants suggested extending the training period after graduation for the loss incurred. However, half of them sought an opportunity to train themselves for the management of communicable disease, 95% of the residents opined that they are having a negative impact on the job performance due to loss of surgical hands-on which has been drastically reduced. Conclusion: The issues mentioned have been addressed through STEPs - Safety of the residents, Time utilisation by research, Education continuation by online web learning and stimulatory programs, psychological support for mental well-being.