Comparison of cardiothoracic surgical training before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom

BACKGROUND: Cardiothoracic training during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic witnessed a dramatic change in the United Kingdom, resulting in changes in surgical provisions, centralization of services, and reduced surgical case volume. The aim of this study was to assess the impact COVID-19 on surgical training and seek opinions regarding the future role of surgical simulation in cardiothoracic training. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was designed and distributed to 200 cardiothoracic national and non-national trainees in the United Kingdom. The survey consisted of 31 questions in 4 sections: Demographics, Service Provision, Training, and Simulation Training. RESULTS: Eighty-three of the 200 trainees (41.5%) completed the survey, including 44 of 129 national trainees (34.1%) and 39 of 71 non-national trainees (54.9%). Sixty-seven respondents (80.7%) agreed that cardiothoracic training had been negatively impacted as a result of COVID-19 (P < .001). In addition, 12% agreed that adequate resources were available for learning/practicing technical skills, 87% agreed that simulation had a role in cardiothoracic training, 81% recognized simulations is an important tool in improving their surgical skills, and 79.5% agreed that simulation should be used to meet the increasing need in training/education moving forward. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 has had a significant impact on surgical training, with concerns that these effects could have further implications downstream. Simulation training has been underused thus far, and trainees face an uphill challenge to enhance their skills and technical abilities in the operating room. Simulation is recommended by trainees and may represent a solution to the challenges of safe and effective cardiothoracic surgical training.