How future surgery will benefit from SARS-COV-2-related measures: a SPIGC survey conveying the perspective of Italian surgeons

AbstractCOVID-19 negatively affected surgical activity, but the potential benefits resulting from adopted measures remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in surgical activity and potential benefit from COVID-19 measures in perspective of Italian surgeons on behalf of SPIGC. A nationwide online survey on surgical practice before, during, and after COVID-19 pandemic was conducted in March –April 2022 (NCT:05323851). Effects of COVID-19 hospital-related measures on surgical patients’ management and personal professional development across surgical specialties were explored. Data on demographics, pre-operative/peri-operative/post-operative management, and professional development w ere collected. Outcomes were matched with the corresponding volume. Four hundred and seventy-three respondents were included in final analysis across 14 surgical specialties. Since SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, application of telematic consultations (4.1% vs. 21.6%;p <  0.0001) and diagnostic evaluations (16.4% vs. 42.2%;p <  0.0001) increased. Elective surgical activities significantly reduced and surgeons opted more frequently for conservative management with a possible indication for elective (26.3% vs. 35.7%;p <  0.0001) or urgent (20.4% vs. 38.5%;p <  0.0001) surgery. All new COVID-related measures are perceived to be maintained in the future. Surgeons’ personal education online increased from 12.6% (pre-COVID) to 86.6% (post-COVID;p <  0.0...
Source: Updates in Surgery - Category: Surgery Source Type: research