Comparing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on training of public health Specialty Registrars starting before or after its onset

Sisodia, S.; McGill, S.; Evans, M. S.; Brough, G.; Okereke, U.; Dunn, T. J.

Abstract

Objectives
To capture and compare the differences in experiences of public health Specialty Registrars who commenced training prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (pre-pandemic Registrars) and those who commenced training during the pandemic (post-pandemic Registrars).

Study design
This is a mixed methods study comprising a cross-sectional survey and participatory action research.

Methods
A questionnaire of 10 open and 5 closed questions exploring participants experience of training during the pandemic was sent to East Midlands Specialty Registrars. Thematic analysis and double coding were undertaken, coded based on pre- or post-pandemic Registrar status. Participatory action research was then undertaken in 2 rounds with 2 groups, based on pre/post-pandemic status to consolidate themes.

Results
The survey was completed by 17 Registrars (8 pre-pandemic, and 9 post-pandemic) and 19 Registrars took part in participatory action research. The findings showed pre-pandemic Registrars noted the importance of negative impacts on their mental health whilst post-pandemic Registrars were more positive and felt well supported in their training.

Conclusions
There is a stark difference in the impact of the pandemic for Registrars who started training before compared to during the pandemic. The training programme was not resilient to the impact of the pandemic. Robustness could be increased by encouraging early leadership experience and providing wellbeing support, particularly for post pandemic Registrars now and in future.

Citation

Sisodia, S., McGill, S., Evans, M. S., Brough, G., Okereke, U., & Dunn, T. J. (2023). Comparing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on training of public health Specialty Registrars starting before or after its onset. Public Health In Practice, 5, Article 100351. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhip.2022.100351

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 8, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Dec 17, 2022
• Publication Date: 2023-06
• Deposit Date: Mar 7, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 8, 2023
• Journal: Public Health in Practice
• Electronic ISSN: 2666-5352
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 5
• Article Number: 100351
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhip.2022.100351
• Keywords: Education, Mental health, Public health, Specialty training, Covid-19
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/16216414
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666535222001276?via%3Dihub