2Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston-ABD
3Department of Radiation Oncology, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul-Turkey DOI : 10.5505/tjo.2021.3328 OBJECTIVE
We aimed to assess how Turkish Radiation Oncology departments responded to the COVID-19 outbreak and to what extent adapted their routine practice per recent guidelines and recommendations.
METHODS
In late March 2020, a national survey was designed for Turkish radiation oncologists who were actively
practicing and members of the Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology (TSRO). The survey created
with an online survey program (www.SurveyMonkey.com), including 28 focused items. It was sent to all
members of the TSRO on April 4th 2020.
RESULTS
Of responders, 17% noted to already complete these arrangements even before the first case announced.
All of the responders declared that their team members, including the secretaries, nurses, and radiation
therapists in the clinic, worked with appropriate protective equipment. While one-third of the centers
(35%) stated to implement a weekly shift, the other 1/3 (29%) chose to use daily shifts for social distancing
and decreasing staff contact. Sixty-two percent of all responders indicated that multidisciplinary
tumor boards discontinued, and the remaining 38% stated to continue with online video conferencing
programs (65%) or meeting in large rooms with a limited number of attendees social distancing (35%).
CONCLUSION
Our survey revealed the importance of early precautions, communication by other Radiation Oncology
Departments, following published guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of
using web-based applications for multidisciplinary tumor boards.