Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Turkish Ophthalmologists
Objectives:To assess the effects of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on Turkish ophthalmologists.Materials and Methods:In this survey study, an online questionnaire consisting of 40 questions was directed to actively working ophthalmologists. The questions asked about demographic cha...
Main Authors: | , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Galenos Yayinevi
2021-04-01
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Series: | Türk Oftalmoloji Dergisi |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: |
http://www.oftalmoloji.org/archives/archive-detail/article-preview/effects-of-the-covd-19-pandemic-on-turkish-ophthal/47347
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Summary: | Objectives:To assess the effects of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on Turkish ophthalmologists.Materials and Methods:In this survey study, an online questionnaire consisting of 40 questions was directed to actively working ophthalmologists. The questions asked about demographic characteristics, working conditions and schedule, follow-up of ophthalmology patients, and levels of knowledge and anxiety about the pandemic.Results:This study included 161 ophthalmologists (78 women and 83 men). They were predominantly consultant ophthalmologists (71%), with 128 living in metropolitan areas. More than half (54.4%) reported decreased weekly working hours, 52.5% were attending routine outpatient clinics, 52.8% were working in COVID-19-related units, 67.1% were performing only emergency operations, and 52% reported disrupted follow-up of chronic eye patients. Sixty-four percent thought that ophthalmologists were in the high-risk group, and nearly all participants used masks while working (99%). Additionally, 91% expressed high anxiety regarding the pandemic, most commonly due to the risk of transmitting the disease to family (83%), and 12.5% considered their level of knowledge about the pandemic to be insufficient. Forty-six percent of the participants thought that daily life conditions would normalize in 2 to 5 months.Conclusion:Close proximity during patient examination causes ophthalmologists concern about their risk. The increasing number of COVID-19 cases resulted in a proportional decrease in the number of patients and surgeries in ophthalmology clinics in our country. As a result, ophthalmologists are unwillingly appointed to high-risk units. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a substantial increase in anxiety levels among Turkish ophthalmologists. |
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ISSN: | 1300-0659 2147-2661 |