Background: During the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, physicians in residency and fellowship training programs are serving as essential healthcare workers while also attempting to continue their preparation for eventual independent practice in their field. The aim of this study was to determine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the safety, training, and well-being of medical trainees during March and April 2020.

Methods: We administered an anonymous, voluntary, web-based survey to physicians enrolled in residency or fellowship training programs in any specialty worldwide. A convenience sampling of trainees was obtained through distribution of the survey by email and social media posts.

Findings: Surveys were completed by 1420 trainees, of whom 1031 (73%) were residents. Trainees who cared for a greater number of COVID-19 patients were more likely to report limited access to PPE and COVID-19 testing and more likely to report testing positive for COVID-19. Compared to trainees who did not take care of COVID-19 patients, those who took care of 1-30 patients (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.80, 95% CI 1.29-2.51), 31-60 patients (AOR 3.30, 95% CI 1.86-5.88) and> 60 patients (AOR 4.03, 95% CI 2.12-7.63) were increasingly more likely to report burnout. More than half (835, 58%) of trainees reported concern about their future preparedness for independent practice.

Interpretation: Physician trainees who were involved in the care of patients with COVID-19 reported unsafe working conditions and suffered from higher rates of physician burnout. Trainees were concerned about the effects of lost training opportunities on their professional development.