Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on European residency training programs in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine: The point of -view of the International Society Of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine World Youth Forum task force

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared a global public health emergency. The demand for services has altered the organization of medical services resulting in significant changes that have altered dramatically the education of residents in various medical specialties including physical and rehabilitation medicine. In this rapid communication, we summarize the impact of COVID-19 on residency training programs in five European countries. Open interviews were conducted with Country Ambassadors of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine World Youth Forum. The most common changes were closing of rehabilitation units and outpatient clinics, redeployment of residents to acute care services, and the increase use of technology for patient care and educational purposes.