Impact of the economic crisis, COVID-19 and the Beirut explosion on ophthalmology training in Lebanon: an observational cohort survey-based study
Objectives The objective of the study is to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic crisis and the Beirut explosion on the training and work of ophthalmology residents and faculty in Lebanon.Design This is an observational cohort survey-based research conducted between January...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMJ Publishing Group
2024-03-01
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| Series: | BMJ Open |
| Online Access: | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/3/e075321.full |
| _version_ | 1797272529662902272 |
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| author | Rola Hamam Alaa Bou Ghannam Hanadi Ahmad Ibrahim Bassel Hammoud |
| author_facet | Rola Hamam Alaa Bou Ghannam Hanadi Ahmad Ibrahim Bassel Hammoud |
| author_sort | Rola Hamam |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives The objective of the study is to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic crisis and the Beirut explosion on the training and work of ophthalmology residents and faculty in Lebanon.Design This is an observational cohort survey-based research conducted between January and December 2022.Setting The study targeted all ophthalmology residents and core faculty in Lebanon.Participants A total of 52 participants, including 27 residents and 25 core faculty members, completed the survey.Primary outcome measure Primary outcomes comprised the subjectively reported effect of the three major external stressors on the training and well-being of ophthalmology trainees and educators in Lebanon.Results The study found that the majority of ophthalmology residents and core faculty members were significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Beirut explosion and the economic crisis in Lebanon. Significant percentage reported financial burden, decrease in outpatient and surgical load and educational activities. Furthermore, most participants reported higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression during the time of crises.Conclusions This study emphasises the need to support healthcare professionals during times of crisis, as they are on the frontlines and can experience high levels of stress, anxiety and depression. By providing support and resources to healthcare professionals, they can better cope with the challenges they face and continue to provide essential care to their patients. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:30:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-084e31fc8d8548e5951483e30b2c3369 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2044-6055 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:30:40Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMJ Open |
| spelling | doaj.art-084e31fc8d8548e5951483e30b2c33692024-03-06T05:00:07ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552024-03-0114310.1136/bmjopen-2023-075321Impact of the economic crisis, COVID-19 and the Beirut explosion on ophthalmology training in Lebanon: an observational cohort survey-based studyRola Hamam0Alaa Bou Ghannam1Hanadi Ahmad Ibrahim2Bassel Hammoud34 American University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonOphthalmology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, LebanonDepartment of Ophthalmology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonDepartment of Ophthalmology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonObjectives The objective of the study is to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic crisis and the Beirut explosion on the training and work of ophthalmology residents and faculty in Lebanon.Design This is an observational cohort survey-based research conducted between January and December 2022.Setting The study targeted all ophthalmology residents and core faculty in Lebanon.Participants A total of 52 participants, including 27 residents and 25 core faculty members, completed the survey.Primary outcome measure Primary outcomes comprised the subjectively reported effect of the three major external stressors on the training and well-being of ophthalmology trainees and educators in Lebanon.Results The study found that the majority of ophthalmology residents and core faculty members were significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Beirut explosion and the economic crisis in Lebanon. Significant percentage reported financial burden, decrease in outpatient and surgical load and educational activities. Furthermore, most participants reported higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression during the time of crises.Conclusions This study emphasises the need to support healthcare professionals during times of crisis, as they are on the frontlines and can experience high levels of stress, anxiety and depression. By providing support and resources to healthcare professionals, they can better cope with the challenges they face and continue to provide essential care to their patients.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/3/e075321.full |
| spellingShingle | Rola Hamam Alaa Bou Ghannam Hanadi Ahmad Ibrahim Bassel Hammoud Impact of the economic crisis, COVID-19 and the Beirut explosion on ophthalmology training in Lebanon: an observational cohort survey-based study BMJ Open |
| title | Impact of the economic crisis, COVID-19 and the Beirut explosion on ophthalmology training in Lebanon: an observational cohort survey-based study |
| title_full | Impact of the economic crisis, COVID-19 and the Beirut explosion on ophthalmology training in Lebanon: an observational cohort survey-based study |
| title_fullStr | Impact of the economic crisis, COVID-19 and the Beirut explosion on ophthalmology training in Lebanon: an observational cohort survey-based study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of the economic crisis, COVID-19 and the Beirut explosion on ophthalmology training in Lebanon: an observational cohort survey-based study |
| title_short | Impact of the economic crisis, COVID-19 and the Beirut explosion on ophthalmology training in Lebanon: an observational cohort survey-based study |
| title_sort | impact of the economic crisis covid 19 and the beirut explosion on ophthalmology training in lebanon an observational cohort survey based study |
| url | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/3/e075321.full |
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