Knowledge- and Experience-Based Perceptions of Radiation Therapists during the COVID-19 Outbreak.

Objective: To assess the perceived risks and impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on radiation therapists in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to all radiation therapists in the country. The questionnaire contained questions about demographic characteristics, the extent of the pandemic's impact on hospital resources, risk perception, work-life, leadership, and immediate supervision. The questionnaire's reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha; >0.7 was considered adequate. Results: Out of the 127 registered radiation therapists, 77 (60.6%) responded; 49 (63.6%) females; and 28 (36.4%) males. The mean age was 36.8 ± 12.5 years. Nine (12%) of the participants had a past experience with pandemics or epidemics. Further, 46 (59.7%) respondents correctly identified the mode of transmission of COVID-19. Approximately, 69% of the respondents perceived COVID-19 as more than a minor risk to their families and 63% to themselves. COVID-19 had an overall negative impact on work at the personal and organizational levels. However, there was a positive attitude toward organizational management during the pandemic in general; positive responses ranged from 66.2% to 82.4%. Ninety-two percent considered protective resources and 70% considered the availability of supportive staff to be adequate. Demographic characteristics were not significantly associated with the perceived risk. Conclusions: Despite the high perception of risk and negative impact on their work, radiation therapists conveyed a positive overall perception regarding resource availability, supervision, and leadership. Efforts should be made to improve their knowledge and appreciate their efforts.

Morbidity and mortality among patients with breast cancer receiving anticancer treatment before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A single tertiary center experience.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer type in women in Saudi Arabia (SA). Globally, cancer treatment has been affected by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The present retrospective study reviews the 30-day morbidity and mortality rates of patients with breast cancer receiving anticancer systemic treatment before (group1) and during the peak of the COVID-19 (group 2) pandemic at a tertiary center, King Abdulaziz University Hospital (Jeddah, SA). There were no differences between the two groups regarding sex, age, breast cancer stage distribution, intention to treat or class of anticancer treatment received. Patients treated during the peak pandemic period received delayed treatment. No statistically significant difference was observed in the 30-day morbidity or mortality rates, although there was a trend towards higher rates of morbidity among patients treated during the peak of the pandemic period. In group 2, only 2.3% of the patients tested positive for COVID-19, and there was no significant difference in the 30-day morbidity and mortality rates between COVID-positive and COVID-negative patients receiving anticancer treatment. Individuals with breast cancer are a vulnerable group of patients that should be treated with special care during pandemics or other crises that affect the health care system.