Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://dx.doi.org/10.25673/85892
Title: A survey among physicians in surgery and anesthesiology departments after the first surge of SARS-CoV-2 infections in Germany : preparing for further challenges ahead
Author(s): Grishina, Anna
Link, Fabian
Arend, Arne
Kleemann, Florentine
Tober-Lau, Pinkus
Andree, Dominik
Münn, Friederike
Gruendl, Magdalena
Quante, Markus
Lederhuber, Hans
Albertsmeier, Markus
Struller, Florian
Grützmann, Robert
Königsrainer, Alfred
Löffler, Markus W.
Issue Date: 2022
Type: Article
Language: English
Abstract: Background: The SARS-CoV‑2 pandemic has extensively challenged healthcare systems all over the world. Many elective operations were postponed or cancelled, changing priorities and workflows in surgery departments. Aims: The primary aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the workload and psychosocial burden of surgeons and anesthesiologists, working in German hospitals during the first wave of SARS-CoV‑2 infections in 2020. Methods: Quantitative online survey on the workplace situation including psychosocial and work-related stress factors among resident and board-certified surgeons and anesthesiologists. Physicians in German hospitals across all levels of healthcare were contacted via departments, professional associations and social media posts. Results: Among 154 total study participants, 54% of respondents stated a lack of personal protective equipment in their own wards and 56% reported increased staff shortages since the onset of the pandemic. While routine practice was reported as fully resumed in 71% of surgery departments at the time of the survey, work-related dissatisfaction among responding surgeons and anesthesiologists increased from 24% before the pandemic to 36% after the first wave of infections. As a countermeasure, 94% of participants deemed the establishment of action plans to increase pandemic preparedness and strengthening German public health systems a useful measure to respond to current challenges. Conclusion: The aftermath of the first wave of SARS-CoV‑2 infections in Germany has left the surgical staff strained, despite temporarily decreased workloads. Overall, a critical review of the altered conditions is indispensable to identify and promote effective solutions and prudent action plans required to address imminent challenges.
URI: https://opendata.uni-halle.de//handle/1981185920/87845
http://dx.doi.org/10.25673/85892
Open Access: Open access publication
License: (CC BY 4.0) Creative Commons Attribution 4.0(CC BY 4.0) Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
Sponsor/Funder: Publikationsfonds MLU
Journal Title: Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
Publisher: Springer
Publisher Place: Wien
Volume: 134
Original Publication: 10.1007/s00508-021-02000-z
Page Start: 361
Page End: 370
Appears in Collections:Open Access Publikationen der MLU

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