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ENT trainees’ experience of redeployment during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: a qualitative study

Part of: JLO Coronavirus Collection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 March 2021

P Lion ,
F McClenaghan ,
A Hall ,
S Mackinnon  and
AV Navaratnam
P Lion*
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
F McClenaghan
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
A Hall
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cardiff, Wales, UK
S Mackinnon
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, NHS England and NHS Improvement, London, UK
AV Navaratnam
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals, London, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Mr Peter Lion, Department of ENT, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK E-mail: peter.lion@nhs.net
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Abstract

Background

As a response to the acute strain placed on the National Health Service during the first wave of coronavirus disease 2019 in the UK, a number of junior doctors including ENT trainees were redeployed to other clinical specialties. This presented these trainees with novel challenges and opportunities.

Methods

A qualitative study was performed to explore these experiences, undertaking semi-structured interviews with ENT trainees between 17th and 30th July. Participants were recruited through purposeful sampling. Interview transcripts underwent thematic analysis using Dedoose software.

Results

Seven ENT trainees were interviewed, ranging from specialty trainee years four to eight (‘ST4’ to ‘ST8’) in grade. Six core themes were identified: organisation of redeployment, utilisation of skill set, emotional impact of redeployment, redeployed team dynamics, concerns about safety and impact on training.

Conclusion

The ENT trainees’ experiences of redeployment described highlight some important lessons and considerations for future redeployments.

Keywords

COVID-19CoronavirusOtolaryngologyWorkforceEducation

Information

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 135 , Issue 5 , May 2021 , pp. 391 - 395
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

Mr P Lion takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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