Surveying the adaptations during the COVID-19 outbreak in Turkish radiotherapy practice

Abstract

Objective: we aimed to assess how Turkish Radiation Oncology departments responded to the COVID-19 out-break and to what extent adapted their routine practice per recent guidelines and recommendations. Methods: in late March 2020, a national survey was designed for Turkish radiation oncologists who were actively practicing and members of the Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology (TSRO). The survey created with an online survey program (www.SurveyMonkey.com), including 28 focused items. It was sent to all members of the TSRO on April 4th 2020. Results: of responders, 17% noted to already complete these arrangements even before the first case announced. All of the responders declared that their team members, including the secretaries, nurses, and radiation therapists in the clinic, worked with appropriate protective equipment. While one-third of the centers (35%) stated to implement a weekly shift, the other 1/3 (29%) chose to use daily shifts for social distancing and decreasing staff contact. Sixty-two percent of all responders indicated that multidisciplinary tumor boards discontinued, and the remaining 38% stated to continue with online video conferencing programs (65%) or meeting in large rooms with a limited number of attendees social distancing (35%). Conclusion: our survey revealed the importance of early precautions, communication by other Radiation Oncology Departments, following published guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of using web-based applications for multidisciplinary tumor boards.