Impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on endoscopy training in a tertiary care centre in Germany

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 crisis has impacted on all aspects of health care including medical education and training. We describe the disruption of endoscopy training in a tertiary care center in Germany. DESIGN/METHOD: The reorganization of a high-volume endoscopy unit during the German COVID-19 outbreak is described with special focus on endoscopy trainees. Changes in case volume of gastroenterology fellows were evaluated and compared to a year prior to the outbreak. RESULTS: Reallocation of resources led to the transfer of gastroenterology fellows to intensive care and infectious disease units. Case volume of fellows declined between January and April 2020 by up to 63%. When compared with data from the year prior to the outbreak, endoscopy performed by fellows reduced by up to 56%. Educational meetings and skill evaluation were cancelled indefinitely. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 outbreak has had a negative impact on endoscopy training of gastroenterology fellows in a high-volume center in Germany. This must be taken into consideration when planning “return-strategies” after the pandemic.