Challenges in Neurosurgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Experience of Kazakhstan

Abstract

Background The practice of neurosurgery has been profoundly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Kazakhstan. Many elective surgeries were postponed or canceled which has resulted in difficulties in hospitalization. This study aims to describe the impact of COVID-19 on neurosurgical practice and to determine if there was a discrepancy in the effect between metropolises and regional cities in Kazakhstan. Methods We performed an electronic internet-based survey among Kazakhstan’s neurosurgeons through the virtual snowball sampling method. The invitation link to complete the questionnaire was sent to neurosurgeons through personal and corporate electronic mails and social networks. Data were analyzed using Excel and STATA. Results The information came from 43 neurosurgeons. The distribution of regional and urban respondents was almost equal. Male respondents have outnumbered female neurosurgeons (93.02% versus 6,98%). A decrease in consultations (65.34 ± 28.24%) and surgeries (56.55 ± 26.34%) have been observed in all neurosurgeons regardless of city type. However, the proportion of neurosurgeons who attended online educational courses during the pandemic was significantly higher (p-value = 0.001) among surgeons from major cities (68.18%) when compared with surgeons from smaller cities (19.05%). Regional neurosurgeons tend to perform urgent surgeries on COVID-19 positive patients 3 times more often compared to metropolitan neurosurgeons (p-value <0.001). Conclusions The true impact of the pandemic remains unknown for the country. A discrepancy between metropolitan and regional cities exists in Kazakhstan. Efforts must be made, and relevant guidelines developed to ensure the neurosurgical treatment of various conditions remains working during health emergencies, and that the disparities are addressed.

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