Effect of COVID 19 pandemic on emergency medicine specialty training and work-related strain

Objective: To investigate the effect of Covıd 19 pandemic on emergency medicine specialty training and work-related strain levels of emergency medicine residents. Method: This is a cross sectional study. The data of the study was gathered using a two-part form. The first part includes questions about sociodemographic characteristics of the study group and possible conditions that can be effective on emotional status of the participants during the pandemic period. The second part consists Work-related Strain Inventory (WRSI). The questionnaire was applied face-to-face and online to emergency medicine assistants working during the pandemic period. Results: A total of 150 form was gathered and analyzed. The participants are residents different instutions. Throuhput the pandemic process, the participants generally followed the up-to-date information fro m the Ministry of Health Scientific Guide, had difficulty in using and supplying personal protective equipment, sometimes felt lonely in the emergency room and stated that their training was negatively affected by the process. Mean WRSI scores were found higher in those who had difficulty in obtaining personal protective equipment, those who thought that their specialty training was negatively affected by the pandemic process, those who felt lonely at work, those who questioned their preferences for Emergency Medicine residency training and who regretted their choice. Conclusion: Emergency clinics are stressful environments by nature. In extraordinary situations, additional factors such as protection from infectious diseases, feeling lonely during working hours, disruption of training may increase work-related strain. Improvements in the provision of personal protective equipment and introduction of alternative internet-based training resources maybe effective in reducing work-related strain that become evident under unexpected conditions like COVID-19 pandemic Key words: Medical education, Emergeny medicine specialty training, COVID 19 Pandemic