ABSTRACT
Purpose: World Health Organization has declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a global pandemic in March 2020. Nations around the world enact prevention measures such as lockdowns, quarantines, massive testing, and tracing policies. Prevention measures against the pandemic may result in less opportunities for urology residents to learn. This study aims to investigate the difference in urology residency in Indonesia before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This research is a cross-sectional study. Authors analyzed 147 urology residents across five urology education centers in Indonesia who fulfilled a self-administered online questionnaire. Participants were asked about their objective and subjective experience regarding urology residency, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Change in urology education paradigm in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic is agreed upon by 95.91% participants, 57.82% thinks it brings negative causes negative consequences. Anxiety toward competence level is felt by 70.06% of participants. Reduced opportunities to learn, especially surgical skills may lead to this result. Overall mental health condition of participants does not significantly change. Multiple factors may contribute to this result. Conclusion: As changes and adaptations are inevitable, more attention should be brought to residents' competence level while maintaining COVID-19 prevention protocol. This is the first nationwide survey showing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on urology education system in Indonesia. Authors suggest a larg-scale study, with more detailed questionnaire to further elaborate the causes and effects of each variable observed. © 2022 Journal of Research in Medical Sciences ;Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: We investigated the impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on urological services by analyzing current attitudes and practices of urologists in the Southeast Asian (SEA) countries and create ways for improvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Quantitative data were used as critical indicators of workload of urological services from each country in SEA. Qualitative data analysis was done to describe the current state of attitudes of urologists against COVID-19 in the region. A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis was performed to formulate strategic action plans. RESULTS: A total of seven urologists from six SEA countries completed the survey. Approximately 21-40% reduction in elective surgeries and outpatient visits, as stated by 42.9% and 57.1% of respondents, respectively was noted. Collectively, most respondents (71.4%) experienced <20% reduction in emergency visits. Various strategies were utilized as reaction to the pandemic. These include utilization of virtual communication platforms, pre-surgical COVID-19 screening, and limited number of accepted outpatient appointments and surgeries. Face to face patient consultations were still considered needed by many urologists although most countries had prohibited direct patient contact. The national response of countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam were successful in controlling the pandemic. However, Indonesia and Philippines struggled because of the limited testing and tracing capabilities. Through the SWOT analysis, strategies were identified which can help overcome COVID-19 and any other future pandemics: (1) restarting the urological services in a safe and sustainable manner; (2) optimizing financial and infrastructural capacities; and (3) regional collaboration to strengthen the health systems. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 negatively impacted many health aspects, especially the delivery of urological services in SEA. Therefore, to ensure sustainability of urological services during the pandemic crisis, health care system should focus on safe, resilient, and adaptive approach with regional collaboration.