Knowledge attitude practice among oncologists and health care workers during COVID19 pandemic

Healthcare providers should be well prepared to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and protect their patients and themselves as frontline workers. The aim of this study was to assess oncologists' and health care workers (HCWs) knowledge, attitude, and practice in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on them.

This cross-sectional study was conducted among Egyptian oncologists and HCWs in the oncology department at Suez Canal University Hospitals, Egypt. Participants were reached through a Google Form questionnaire. The questionnaire was shared on social media (Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp) over four months, from June 1^st to September 30, 2022. All physicians and HCWs in the oncology department were invited to participate in the survey. Researchers intended to enroll all physicians and HCWs within the study period.

Out of the 110 participants included in the study, there was a female predominance, and the majority were oncology nurses and clinical oncologists. Knowledge with significant participants' characteristics showed that knowledge significantly varied by age. The level of knowledge was significantly higher among participants between 30 and 40 years old (OR = 5.111; 95% CI, 1.202-21.738; P = 0.027). 65.5% of the participants had poor knowledge, with a mean ± SD of 4.9 ± 1.4. About 43.6% of the participants experienced more burnout than before the COVID-19 pandemic, with a negative emotional impact. 63.7% reported a negative financial impact due to the pandemic. 62.7% had support from their family, even though their job increases their risk of infection. 7.3% only reported a positive impact regarding their friend's relationship.

COVID-19 pandemic has a negative impact on oncologists' personal and professional lives. Interventions should be implemented to lessen the negative impact and better prepare oncologists to handle future crises with greater efficiency and resilience.