Impact of COVID-19 on clinical practice, income, health and lifestyle behavior of Brazilian urologists

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on clinical practice, income, health and lifestyle behavior of Brazilian urologists during the month of April 2020. Materials and Methods: A 39-question, web-based survey was sent to all urologist members of the Brazilian Society of Urology. We assessed socio-demographic, professional, health and behavior parameters. The primary goal was to evaluate changes in urologists ′ clinical practice and income after two months of COVID-19. We also looked at geographical differences based on the incidence rates of COVID-19 in different states. Results: Among 766 urologists who completed the survey, a reduction ≥ 50% of patient visits, elective and emergency surgeries was reported by 83.2%, 89.6% and 54.8%, respectively. An income reduction of ≥ 50% was reported by 54.3%. Measures to reduce costs were implemented by most. Video consultations were performed by 38.7%. Modifications in health and lifestyle included weight gain (32.9%), reduced physical activity (60.0%), increased alcoholic intake (39.9%) and reduced sexual activity (34.9%). Finally, 13.5% of Brazilian urologists were infected with SARS-CoV-2 and about one third required hospitalization. Urologists from the highest COVID-19 incidence states were at a higher risk to have a reduction of patient visits and non-essential surgeries (OR=2.95, 95% CI 1.86 - 4.75; p < 0.0001) and of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 (OR=4.36 95% CI 1.74 - 10.54, p = 0.012). Conclusions: COVID-19 produced massive disturbances in Brazilian urologists' practice, with major reductions in patient visits and surgical procedures. Distressing consequences were also observed on physicians' income, health and personal lives. These findings are probably applicable to other medical specialties.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted Polish urologists? Results from a national survey

“…These results reveal the severity and significance of the implemented changes for urologists. Similar results were obtained in other surveys conducted worldwide [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. For example, in Germany, 97% of urologists indicated that their routine work was moderately to very strongly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with only 0.3% believing that the outbreak did not affect their work [ 7 ].…”

“…Nevertheless, despite initial success with flattening the COVID-19 incidence curve, escalating restrictions, further health care restructuration (including the opening of COVID-19-dedicated hospitals), and unexplored COVID-19 fear likely led to indirect adverse effects of the pandemic also impacting Polish physicians and their work. Therefore, COVID-19, a droplets-transmitted respiratory infection, despite not being in the initial scope of treatment of urologists, has impacted all areas of urology including emergencies, outpatient clinics, elective surgeries, as well as physicians’ everyday lives [ 6 , 7 ].…”

Global Impact of COVID-19 on Weight and Weight-Related Behaviors in the Adult Population: A Scoping Review

“…Out of the 19 articles included in this scoping review [2][3][4][5][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30], four explored changes in all three domains, namely weight, diet and exercise [2,4,5,24], three explored changes in both weight and diet and weight and exercise, three explored changes in both diet and exercise [22][23][24], and the rest explored each domain exclusively (Table 2, Figure 1). A summary of the impact of COVID-19 on the overall change in perceived weight status, dietary behaviors, physical activity behaviors, sedentary behaviors and other lifestyle behaviors are shown in Table 2.…”

Interim Guidance for Urodynamic Practice during COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Social distancing has been introduced more than four months ago and is plainly effective throughout the country, with no signs that it will be relaxed in the next weeks. A recent study showed a dramatic reduction in elective patient visits and surgical procedures in the whole country (4). Given the continental dimensions and signifi cant geographical and socioeconomic heterogeneity of the country, the pandemic impact has also been heterogeneous across different regions in Brazil (5).…”