As the new batch of physicians in the Department of Medicine of the Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila (UP-PGH) started their residency in January 2020, COVID-19 was only a disease that was heard of in the news, as it was spreading in China. When the first few patients with coughs and colds would ask us whether it was nCOV (as it was known then), we would not even consider it; we just gently reassured them. Then, the first patient in the country with COVID-19 was admitted on the last week of January 2020,1 prompting various local and national efforts to try to prevent its further spread. Even then, hospital operations and training activities went on as usual except that more people wore masks and practiced social distancing. When the government declared community quarantine for the whole of Luzon mid-March due to the rise in confirmed cases, hospital operations slowed down as the outpatient department (OPD) was closed and workforce was minimized. Before the month ended, the hospital would be designated to be one of the COVID-19 referral centers.
Coronavirus ; Covid-19

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The COVID- 19 pandemic and the subsequent designation of the Philippine General Hospital lead to necessary adjustments in internal medicine residency training. This study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on internal medicine (IM) residents in the Philippine General Hospital.

METHODOLOGY

A questionnaire was developed and distributed among internal medicine residents employed in the years 2020 and 2021. Qualitative data was then gathered through on line and face-to-face interviews.

RESULTS

A total of 43 Internal Medicine residents responded. This study found that the pandemic significantly affected internal medicine residents and their overall training. The participants reported changes in the number and profile of patients seen, the limited outpatient clinical exposure, the difficulties of telemedicine, and the reduced interactions with consultants and subspecialty fellows. Infection control protocols and workforce limitations also affected the number of procedures done by the residents. Resident participants reported that they were able to allot more time to studying from the textbook because of the skeletal schedules and decreased number of patients. Other learning avenues were shifted to online conferences and lectures.

The COVID-19 pandemic a lso brought about changes in residents' day-to-day routines, schedules, and rotations. Communicating with patients and relatives was also reported to be more difficult. Lifestyle changes varied among resident s. Socialization also shifted to online avenues and social messaging platforms. Having colleagues who test positive tor COVID and subsequently requiring quarantine lead to constant changes in workforce dynamics. This lead to feelings of anxiety and isolation among its trainees.

However, a number of participants still believed that the pandemic allowed them to become better physicians. This was brought about by a sense of service and pride, camaraderie among colleagues, commitment to finishing the program, financial stability, and administrative support. Still, the participants stated areas for improvement, including more consistent protocol measures, additional financial compensation, added workforce, and more transparent administrative support. All in all, participants felt that they were still able to meet the learning outcomes and minimum competencies. Majority of the participants believed the experiences brought about by the pandemic helped them become a better internist.

CONCLUSION

Ultimately, the new challenges from the pandemic strengthened the sense of service, resilience and clinical acumen of the residents.

Human ; Covid-19 ; Education ; Training