• José Antonio Prezotti, João Victor T Henriques, Luciano A Favorito, Alfredo F Canalini, Marcos G Machado, Thulio B V Brandão, Akemi M V Barbosa, Julyana K M Moromizato, Karin M J Anzolch, Roni de C Fernandes, Fransber R A Rodrigues, Carlos H S Bellucci, Caroline S Silva, Antonio Carlos L Pompeo, Jose de Bessa, and Cristiano M Gomes.
• Divisão de Urologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo - FMUSP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
• Int Braz J Urol. 2021 Jul 1; 47 (4): 753-776.

ObjectivesTo evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on clinical and surgical practice, educational activities, health and lifestyle behavior of Brazilian urology residents.Materials And MethodsA web-based survey was sent to 468 Brazilian urology residents from postgraduate years (PGY) 3 to 5 to collect data on clinical practice and training after 4 months of COVID-19. We also assessed health-related and behavior changes, rate of infection by SARS-CoV-2, deployment to the front line of COVID-19, residents' concerns, and access to personal protective equipment (PPE).ResultsMassive reductions in elective and emergency patient consultations, diagnostic procedures and surgeries were reported across the country, affecting PGY 3 to 5 alike. Most in-person educational activities were abolished. The median damage to the urological training expected for 2020 was 6.0 [3.4 -7.7], on a scale from 0 to 10, with senior residents estimating a greater damage (P < 0.001). Educational interventions developed included online case-based discussions, subspeciality conferences and lectures, and grand rounds. Most senior residents favored extending residency to compensate for training loss and most younger residents favored no additional training (p< 0.001). Modifications in health and lifestyle included weight gain (43.8%), reduced physical activity (68.6%), increased alcoholic intake (44.9%) and cigarette consumption (53.6%), worsening of sexual life (25.2%) and feelings of sadness or depression (48,2%). Almost half were summoned to work on the COVID-19 front-line and 24.4% had COVID-19. Most residents had inadequate training to deal with COVID-19 patients and most reported a shortage of PPE. Residents' concerns included the risk of contaminating family members, being away from residency program, developing severe COVID-19 and overloading colleagues.ConclusionsCOVID-19 had a massive impact in Brazilian urology residents´ training, health and lifestyle behavior, which may reflect what happened in other medical specialties. Studies should confirm these findings to help developing strategies to mitigate residents' losses.Copyright® by the International Brazilian Journal of Urology.

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