Training and information during COVID-19 pandemic: The masterpiece in young oncologists

ABSTRACT

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic was a health emergency that required a rapid response by the ItalianNational Health System. Health care professionals needed to be properly trained and informed about their patients'procedures and proper management. During an emergency, the information must be exhaustive, clear, and timely toallow correct diagnostic and therapeutic continuity. It is also important that all health workers are promptly andhomogeneously trained to guarantee the best treatment path even during the pandemic. Our survey aimed toinvestigate the level of information and training of health workers in oncology during the pandemic and, in particular, the difference in perception between operators under and over 35 years of age. Materials and Methods: An on-line multiple-choice survey was submitted to oncology health workers during thepandemic, investigating individual perception of resources, information, and staff training management by hospitalcenters. No open questions were included. Results: A total of 383 health workers replied to the survey (116 under 35 years versus 267 over 35 years). In theunder-35 group, a total of 65% declared they had been timely and sufficiently informed to understand the extent ofthe problem compared to 50% of those over 35 (P=0.007). About 80% of young professionals were adequatelyinformed and two thirds (63%) were informed about procedures/recommendations to be followed during thepandemic. However, in professionals over 35, only 56% declared they had the right information and over 65% didnot feel adequately trained (P= <0.01). Furthermore, 44% of those over 35 felt not sufficiently prepared for themanagement of the cancer patient during an epidemic compared to only 28% of those under 35 (P=0.015). Conclusion: The survey showed a different perception of information and training of health care professionalsbased on the age group. This could be determined by a different degree of task and responsibility but also by thegreater and faster readiness of the younger operators to acquire new information and to draw on a renewed abilityto face an emergency by reorganizing themselves quickly and actively.