Objective: The aim of this study was to assess of the effect of coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID-19) pandemic on urology practice in the Arab world during the first year of the crisis.
Methods: An Internet-based questionnaire was created and sent out via email to members of
the Arab Association of Urology (AAU) using ‘Google Forms’. The survey assessed participants’
demographics in terms of age, gender, country of origin, type of practice and position. Impacts
of COVID-19 on urological practice were assessed in terms of the changes in hospital policies
regarding consultations, and elective and emergency surgical cases. Moreover, impacts of
COVID-19 on urologists were assessed.
Results: A total of 255 AAU members across 14 Arab countries (Emirates, Egypt, Saudi
Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Algeria, Kuwait, Yemen, Qatar, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Sudan and Syria)
completed the survey; 4% were female urologists. Consultations at outpatient clinics were
closed or restricted to emergency cases or replaced by telemedicine in almost 15%, 40% and
25% of hospitals, respectively. Elective surgeries were stopped or reduced to under 25% of
surgical capacity in >10% and about 25% of hospitals, respectively. Almost 90% (228) reported
changes in the policy for emergency theatres. Nearly 65% of hospitals offered preoperative
COVID-19 testing to patients and 50% of hospitals provided personal protective equipment
(PPE) to their urologists. Of 99% (253) who reported a change in urological education, 95%
relied on online webinars. About 56% of respondents had their own private practice, of whom
91% continued private practice during the crisis. About 38% of participants reported exposure
to intimidation (75% emotional, 20% verbal and 5% physical).
Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in major changes in hospitals’ policies regarding
outpatient consultations, elective and emergency operative cases, and the shift to telemedicine.
Arab urologists have been facing major challenges either in both the governmental or the
private sectors, and some of them were exposed to emotional, verbal and even physical
intimidation. |
