The professional and personal impact of the coronavirus pandemic on US neurointerventional practices: a nationwide survey. (11th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fargen, Kyle M; Leslie-Mazwi, Thabele M; Klucznik, Richard P; Wolfe, Stacey Q; Brown, Patrick; Ansari, Sameer A; Dabus, Guilherme; Spiotta, Alejandro M; Mokin, Maxim; Hassan, Ameer E; Liebeskind, David; Welch, Babu G; Siddiqui, Adnan H; Hirsch, Joshua A
• Is Part Of: Journal of neurointerventional surgery. Volume 12:Number 10(2020)
• Page Start: 927
• Page End: 931
• Publication Date: 2020-08-11
• Subjects: infection -- stroke -- thrombectomy; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Cerebrovascular disease -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.48
• DOI: 10.1136/neurintsurg-2020-016513
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-8478

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Little is currently known about the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on neurointerventional (NI) procedural volumes or its toll on physician wellness. Methods: A 37-question online survey was designed and distributed to physician members of three NI physician organizations. Results: A total of 151 individual survey responses were obtained. Reduced mechanical thrombectomy procedures compared with pre-pandemic were observed with 32% reporting a greater than 50% reduction in thrombectomy volumes. In concert with most (76%) reporting at least a 25% reduction in non-mechanical thrombectomy urgent NI procedures and a nearly unanimous (96%) cessation of non-urgent elective cases, 68% of physicians reported dramatic reductions (>50%) in overall NI procedural volume compared with pre-pandemic. Increased door-to-puncture times were reported by 79%. COVID-19-positive infections occurred in 1% of physician respondents: an additional 8% quarantined for suspected infection. Sixty-six percent of respondents reported increased career stress, 56% increased personal life/family stress, and 35% increased career burnout. Stress was significantly increased in physicians with COVID-positive family members (P<0.05). Conclusions: This is the first study designed to understand the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on NI physician practices, case volumes, compensation, personal/family stresses, and work-related burnout. Future studies examining these factors following the resumption of elective cases and relaxing of social distancing measures will be necessary to better understand these phenomena.