Residency During COVID-19

This study was completed at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The onset of COVID-19 had a profound effect on the nation as millions died from the virus, lockdowns were implemented, and unemployment skyrocketed, among other dramatic changes within our society. The virus’s effect on the medical field was equally overwhelming. Within the hospital setting, healthcare providers faced having to implement crisis standards of care, shortages, and rationing of supplies, and long working hours. The burdens on healthcare workers, many of whom were unprepared for the obligations suddenly placed on them, led many to experience moral distress and burnout. Medical residents were impacted directly in several ways, from their education and training to the fear they themselves would contract COVID-19 and spread it to loved ones. This chapter documents factors that contributed to healthcare workers’ and medical residents’ moral distress and burnout when working under the conditions COVID-19 presented.