Assessment of physicians’ satisfaction with a virtual tumour board in a French academic centre during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction & Objectives: During the COVID-19 pandemic, physicians were instructed to avoid face-to-face meetings. Virtual Tumour Boards (vTBs) were therefore established. Our objective was to assess physicians’ satisfaction with vTB use during the crisis. Materials & Methods: Twenty-eight physicians in onco-urology involved in a vTB in a single department in Paris, France, were asked to answer an online survey between March 17th and April 28th, 2020. A validated scale employed for teleconsultations was adapted to assess physician satisfaction with the vTB (e.g. Telehealth Usability Questionnaire - TUQ) including additional criteria such as ergonomic, learnability and satisfaction items. A satisfying experience was defined as TUQ score >85. Participants were stratified into two groups, senior and junior, to assess any differences in opinion. Results: A total of 23/28 physicians (82.1%) responded to the questionnaire (median age: 36-years [IQR: 32-40], male: female ratio 2.8, 11 senior physicians (47.8%)). Overall, 164 medical cases were discussed, representing a 23.4% decrease when compared to the similar period in 2019 (n=214). Median TUQ score was 100 [IQR: 92-109] and 22 participants (95.7%) reported a satisfying experience with no significant difference between senior and junior physicians. Limitations include the small sample size, monocentric design, use of a modified telehealth questionnaire in order to fit the vTB, and potential bias inherent in self-reporting. Conclusions: The vTB was a rapid and effective way to deal with onco-urology cases. vTB adherence was high and we believe that this way of working will continue beyond the current crisis.

[Recommendations of the Committee of Andrology and Sexual Medicine of the AFU concerning the management of andrological and sexual medicine pathologies during the COVID-19 crisis]. / Recommandations du Comité d'andrologie et de médecine sexuelle de l'AFU concernant la prise en charge andrologique et en médecine sexuelle en contexte et en sortie de crise sanitaire liée au COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To assist urologists in the management of andrological and sexual medicine pathologies during the COVID-19 crisis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Use of the formalized consensus method. RESULTS: The medical and surgical management of patients in andrology and sexual medicine must be adapted. Consultations should, as far as possible, be carried out by tele-consultation. For operative procedures, the delay between the operative decision and the date of (re)scheduling of the procedure will depend on: (1) the level of criticality of the clinical situation; (2) the type of intervention; (3) the functional and psychological repercussions, including quality of life while waiting for the procedure; (4) the notion of losing the chance of having an optimal outcome; (5) the risk of potential complications from delaying a procedure for too long; and (6) taking into account the patient's risk factors for severe forms of COVID-19. The protection of urologists from COVID-19 should be considered. Each urologist must make the best decision for the patient, taking into account the acceptable time frame and quality of life impact before surgical management, the COVID risk parameters, the technical and anesthetic feasibility and the structural possibility of the health care institution to ensure a specific dedicated pathway during the COVID-19 health crisis. CONCLUSION: The management of andrological and sexual medicine pathologies must be adapted to the COVID-19 crisis context. Some patients may require surgery, including in emergency. These recommendations are transitional and will end with the COVID-19 crisis.