Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young oncologists: The Greek perspective

Abstract

Background The global impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on health professionals has been profound. In response to these circumstances, the coordination committee of the Hellenic Group of Young Oncologists (HeGYO) embarked on an investigation into the well-being of its members. Methods For the purposes of this study, we developed a 44-question questionnaire. The responses were electronically collected and exported into data frames, which were then subjected to statistical analyses. Results The study cohort comprised 77 oncologists, of whom 81.7% (n=67) were under the age of 40. Survey responses highlighted the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young oncologists in Greece, with 67.5% (n=52) feeling that their work lives have not returned to pre-pandemic levels, 74% (n=57) experiencing changes in duties, and 74.0% (n=57) reporting increased working hours. Additionally, 82% (n=63) of participants reassessed their work–life balance. Notably, 92.2% (n=71) expressed fears of COVID-19 contamination, unrelated to the perceived quality of protective measures (p=0.291). Time allocated to clinical and pre-clinical research was also decreased, as reported by 36.4% (n=28) and 41.6% (n=32) respectively. Surprisingly, the pandemic did not prompt the initiation of unhealthy habits, but 51.2% (n=40) reported a reduction in physical activity. Conclusions In summary, this study reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered the professional landscape for young oncologists in Greece, impacting work dynamics, research productivity, and overall well-being. These findings underscore the necessity for targeted interventions during emergencies in the healthcare in order to maintain a resilient workforce in oncology.