The perception and attitude of Turkish ophthalmologists related to the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the level of perceptions and attitudes regarding COVID-19 among Turkish ophthalmologists in a tertiary eye care referral center.Material and Method: A cross-sectional survey-based study including the sociodemographic form in addition to 52 multiple-choice questions was conducted in March 2021. The questions were to assess the perception of three concepts separately: The disease, the causes of COVID-19, and the control of COVID-19. Along with this, it also included questions to evaluate the attitudes of avoidance of COVID-19 and attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine.Results: A total of 43 (15 males and 28 females) ophthalmologists completed the online survey. The perception of dangerousness and contagiousness was strong among ophthalmologists. The scores in the sub-dimensions of the perception of the causes of COVID-19 presented a moderate level. Statistically significant differences revealed between as follows: resident physicians and faculty in Macro Control (p=0.02), Controllability (p=0.38), and perception of the control of COVID-19 (p=0.022); males and females (p=0.009) along with resident physicians and faculty (p=0.023) in the behavioral avoidance attitudes from COVID-19; resident physicians and faculty in attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine (p=0.034). Conclusion: COVID-19 was perceived as dangerous and contagious among ophthalmologists. The perception of the control of COVID-19 was stronger among faculty than resident physicians. Females and faculty developed higher behavioral avoidance attitudes from COVID-19. Faculty exhibited less negative attitudes than resident physicians towards the COVID-19 vaccine. These assessments could shed light on our path in combating the disease, both in the COVID-19 pandemic and in future outbreaks.