Офтальмохирургия (Jul 2021)

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the professional activities and health of ophthalmologists in the Russian Federation. Results of an online survey

  • E. V. Kechin,
  • A. V. Doga,
  • N. S. Khodjaev,
  • Kh. D. Tonaeva,
  • I. S. Tkachenko

DOI
https://doi.org/10.25276/0235-4160-2021-2-66-78
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 0, no. 2
pp. 66 – 78

Abstract

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Purpose. To study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the professional activities and health of ophthalmologists in the Russian Federation.Material and methods. The All-Russian online survey of ophthalmologists «Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the professional activity, lifestyle and health of ophthalmologists in the Russian Federation» was conducted. The results are presented as a percentage of those respondents who are engaged in the relevant activity.Results. The survey involved 582 ophthalmologists from various regions of Russia. In April 2020 (in the first month of non-working days throughout the Russian Federation), the work load as a whole became less than usual for 54.8% of respondents. In addition, 18.4% of respondents stated that they did not work during the entire April 2020.The number of face-to-face consultations decreased in 74.3% of the surveyed ophthalmologists. The number of telemedicine consultations decreased in 27.0% of respondents, and increased in 34.1%. The number of emergency and urgent surgery decreased in 25.0% of respondents, and increased in 23.2%. The number of planned surgery decreased in 80.4% of respondents. 23.9% of respondents began to provide medical care in an additional and new profile of ophthalmological care (which they do not usually do).Salaries in April 2020 decreased for 66.7% of respondents, in August 2020 – in 41.4% of respondents.Ophthalmologists have become more engaged in the study of professional literature on ophthalmology and coronavirus, as well as writing scientific products (articles, patents, etc.), preparing reports and presenting them.In 57.8% of cases of infection of ophthalmologists with COVID-19 was associated with their professional activities and 37.3% of infection with an ophthalmic patient. In 83.3% of cases, ophthalmologists were treated for COVID-19 on an outpatient, in 16.7% of cases – in an inpatient. In 66.7% of cases the health status of ophthalmologists after the coronavirus infection COVID-19 was poor.Conclusion. The COVID-19 pandemic had negative impact on the professional activity and health of ophthalmologists in the Russian Federation.

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