Author
Louie, Philip K.Harada, Garrett K.
McCarthy, Michael H.
Germscheid, Niccole
Cheung, Jason P. Y.
Neva, Marko H.
El-Sharkawi, Mohammad
Valacco, Marcelo
Sciubba, Daniel M.
Chutkan, Norman B.
An, Howard S.
Samartzis, Dino
Affiliation
Univ Arizona, Coll MedIssue Date
2020-05-06
Metadata
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SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTDCitation
Louie, P. K., Harada, G. K., McCarthy, M. H., Germscheid, N., Cheung, J. P., Neva, M. H., ... & Samartzis, D. (2020). The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on spine surgeons worldwide. Global Spine Journal, 2192568220925783.Journal
GLOBAL SPINE JOURNALRights
© The Author(s) 2020. Creative Commons Non Commercial No Derivs CC BY-NC-ND: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivs 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).Collection Information
This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at repository@u.library.arizona.edu.Abstract
Study Design: Cross-sectional, international survey. Objectives: The current study addressed the multi-dimensional impact of COVID-19 upon healthcare professionals, particularly spine surgeons, worldwide. Secondly, it aimed to identify geographical variations and similarities. Methods: A multi-dimensional survey was distributed to surgeons worldwide. Questions were categorized into domains: demographics, COVID-19 observations, preparedness, personal impact, patient care, and future perceptions. Results: 902 spine surgeons representing 7 global regions completed the survey. 36.8% reported co-morbidities. Of those that underwent viral testing, 15.8% tested positive for COVID-19, and testing likelihood was region-dependent; however, 7.2% would not disclose their infection to their patients. Family health concerns were greatest stressor globally (76.0%), with anxiety levels moderately high. Loss of income, clinical practice and current surgical management were region-dependent, whereby 50.4% indicated personal-protective-equipment were not adequate. 82.3% envisioned a change in their clinical practice as a result of COVID-19. More than 33% of clinical practice was via telemedicine. Research output and teaching/training impact was similar globally. 96.9% were interested in online medical education. 94.7% expressed a need for formal, international guidelines to manage COVID-19 patients. Conclusions: In this first, international study to assess the impact of COVID-19 on surgeons worldwide, we identified overall/regional variations and infection rate. The study raises awareness of the needs and challenges of surgeons that will serve as the foundation to establish interventions and guidelines to face future public health crises.Note
Open access journalISSN
2192-5682EISSN
2192-5690Version
Final published versionae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1177/2192568220925783
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Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as © The Author(s) 2020. Creative Commons Non Commercial No Derivs CC BY-NC-ND: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivs 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).