Assessing the skillset of surgeons facing the COVID-19 pandemic

Editor Hospitals around the world took measures to absorb the potential and actual influx of patients due to COVID-19 by reducing surgical activity and maintaining surgical emergencies1–3. Surgeons are at the forefront of disaster management, but the pandemic requires primarily medical and intensive care4,5. As such, we may find ourselves out of our comfort zone when tasked with dealing with COVID-19 patients5. A survey undertaken on 23 March 2020 involved 63 surgeons and residents (Table 1). More than half answered negatively to questions relating to ICU skills other than their ability to ventilate using a balloon. More positive answers were given to questions pertaining to general medical skills and triage. Knowledge of the skillset of the hospital's clinical staff can allow accurate redistribution of resources and preparation for future pandemic issues through training. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed the landscape around us, and may have a lasting impact6 with new waves of issues coming7 that will impact surgical services8 and staff safety9. Skillset of surgeons facing the COVID-19 pandemic Values in parentheses are percentages. ECMO, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.