Abstract
BackgroundThe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has changed the lives of most humans worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the SARS-CoV‑2 pandemic on health care professionals (HCPs) in radiation oncology facilities.MethodsWe distributed an online survey to HCPs in radiation oncology (physicians, medical physics experts, radiology assistants/radiation therapists, nurses, and administrative personnel). The survey was completed by 334 participants between May 23 and June 9, 2020.ResultsIn 66.2% of the cases, HCPs reported a shortage of protective clothing. The protective measures were regarded as very reasonable by 47.4%, while 0.8% regarded them as not reasonable (rather reasonable: 44.0%; less reasonable 7.8%). 29.0% of the participants had children who needed care. The most frequently used care options were public emergency childcare (36.1%) and private childcare (e.g. relatives/friends). HCPs reported about additional work burden (fully agreed: 27.2%, rather agreed: 34.4%, less agreed: 28.2%, not agreed: 10.2%), and reduced work satisfaction (fully agreed: 11.7%, rather agreed: 29.6%, less agreed: 39.8%, not agreed: 18.9%). 12.9% and 29.0% of the participants were fully or rather mentally strained (less mentally strained: 44.0%, not mentally strained: 14.1%).ConclusionWe must learn from this pandemic how to prepare for further outbreaks and similar conditions. This includes the vast availability of protective clothing and efficient tracing of infection chains among the HCPs, but also secured childcare programs and experienced mental health support are crucial. Further, work satisfaction and appreciation by employers is essential.
Highlights
With the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) [1] in December 2019 in Wuhan, China [2] the medical community has been faced with new challenges
We previously reported our first statement on preparation for the COVID-19 pandemic in large German-speaking universitybased radiation oncology departments [8]
Such plans are essential for oncological disciplines such as radiation oncology, as oncologists deal with immunosuppressed cancer patients who might be more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 than others
Summary
With the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) [1] in December 2019 in Wuhan, China [2] the medical community has been faced with new challenges. In spite of several warnings of a forthcoming pandemic, health care professionals (HCPs) were overwhelmed by the new situation and recommendations for oncologic care were desperately needed: Very quickly several groups adapted their guidelines and sought to distribute them rapidly. We previously reported our first statement on preparation for the COVID-19 pandemic in large German-speaking universitybased radiation oncology departments [8]. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on health care professionals (HCPs) in radiation oncology facilities
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