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Objective This study assesses a new departmental role—a professionalism mentor—who receives sexual harassment reporting, liaisons with campus resources, and organizes educational sessions. Study Design Multicenter randomized controlled survey study. Methods Academic ophthalmology departments in the United States were randomized to a professionalism mentor group (n = 9) and a control group (n = 7). Among both pre- and postsurveys, 605 faculty and trainee responses were received and 546 were complete. The intervention group was assigned a professionalism mentor with educational session for a 6- to 10-month period. Sexual harassment and reporting rate change over time were compared between the two groups. Results Among 546 anonymous responses, 16% experienced workplace sexual harassment during the prior 10 months. Location in the South or Midwest was a risk factor (p Conclusion This study identified a high sexual harassment rate in academic ophthalmology departments over a brief period. The presence of a professionalism mentor was viewed favorably and may lead to increased reporting.

Objective The aim of this article is to assess the initial impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on ophthalmology resident training and wellness. Design Online national survey of ophthalmology residents distributed by residency program directors and education coordinators of participating programs. Setting US ophthalmology residency programs during the COVID-19 pandemic (May 20th, 2020 to June 10th, 2020). Participants Ophthalmology residents enrolled in the US residency programs currently in postgraduate years two through four of training. Results Two-hundred thirty-six of 785 (30.1%) residents responded to the survey. One-hundred eighteen of 234 (50.4%) residents reported exposure to known COVID-19 positive patients, and of those exposed, 44 of 118 (37.2%) felt that they did not have adequate personal protective equipment. One-hundred ninety-five of 233 (83.7%) residents reported a decrease in primary surgical cases during the pandemic, with 68 (29.2%) reporting a loss of more than 50 primary cases. One-hundred sixty-four of 234 (70.1%) residents were concerned that the pandemic would negatively impact their surgical skills beyond residency, and 15% reported that they were more likely to pursue fellowship due to the pandemic. 31.0% of residents met criteria of burnout, 9.1% were depressed, and 13.4% had generalized anxiety. Concerns about COVID-19 infection were correlated with increased anxiety and burnout during the pandemic. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has decreased resident surgical and clinical volumes and has negatively impacted ophthalmology residency training. Residents with increased concern for contracting COVID-19 and those actively engaged in a job search had significantly higher odds of increased anxiety.

Purpose To determine prevalence of burnout in ophthalmology residents in the United States using the Maslach Burnout Inventory—Human Services Survey and to identify factors associated with burnout and wellness. Methods Anonymous survey distributed to residents via residency program directors. Results Ninety-one programs out of 113 (80.5%) confirmed survey distribution. Of 267 included respondents, 23 (8.6%) met criteria for high burnout, and 169 (63.3%) met criteria for at least one aspect of burnout. Longer work hours, longer hours spent on call, higher number of consults seen on call, fewer hours of sleep on call, and not meeting recommended physical activity minimums were associated with higher emotional exhaustion. Most common factors cited to improve wellness included physical activity, nurturing relationships, and co-resident support, whereas most commonly cited factors that contributed to burnout included sleep deprivation, call, and workload. Conclusion Burnout in ophthalmology residents is common, occurring at similar rates as reported in residencies of other specialties.