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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2020; 24(03): e258-e266
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1712169
Original Research
Special Article COVID-19
Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Activity of Physicians Working in the Areas of Head and Neck Surgery and Otorhinolaryngology

Luiz Paulo Kowalski
1   Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
,
Rui Imamura 
2   Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
,
Gilberto de Castro Junior
3   Clinical Oncology Service, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo (ICESP) and Discipline of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
,
Gustavo Nader Marta
4   Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo, SP Brazil
5   Department of Radiology and Oncology, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo (ICESP), Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
,
Aline Lauda Freitas Chaves
6   Clinical Oncology, Grupo Brasileiro de Cabeça e Pescoço, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil
,
Leandro Luongo Matos
7   Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Instituto do Cancer do Estado de São Paulo (Icesp), Faculty of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
,
Ricardo Ferreira Bento 
2   Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

23 April 2020

24 April 2020

Publication Date:
22 May 2020 (online)

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Abstract

Introduction Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute infection caused by the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and it is highly transmissible, especially through respiratory droplets. To prepare the health system for the care of these patients also led to a restriction in the activity of several medical specialties. Physicians who work with patients affected by diseases of the head and neck region constitute one of the populations most vulnerable to COVID-19 and also most affected by the interruption of their professional activities.

Objective The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the practice of head and neck surgeons and otorhinolaryngologists in Brazil.

Methods An anonymous online survey of voluntary participation was applied, containing 30 questions regarding demographic aspects, availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), and impact on the routine of head and neck surgeons and otorhinolaryngologists, as well as clinical oncologists and radiation oncologists who work with head and neck diseases.

Results Seven hundred and twenty-nine answers were received in a period of 4 days, ∼ 40 days after the 1st confirmed case in Brazil. With professionals working in public and private services, there was a high level of concerns with the disease and its consequences, limited availability of PPE and a significant decrease in the volume of specialized medical care.

Conclusion The study demonstrated a direct impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinical practice of specialties related to the treatment of patients with diseases of the head and neck region already in the beginning of the illness management in Brazil.

Keywords

COVID-19 - pandemics - occupational groups - health personnel - work
 

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