Evaluation of the Attitudes of Anesthesia Residents and Specialists in Patients Who Have Had COVID-19 Before Elective Surgery

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge and opinions and increase awareness of anesthesia residents and specialists about the timing of elective surgery of patients who have had COVID-19. Methods: After the approval of the hospital ethics committee, the link of the questionnaire form was sent to the anesthesia residents and specialist online via e-mail and social media application (WhatsApp mobile application). Questions were asked regarding demographic data, sources of information regarding COVID-19 infection, timing of elective surgery, preoperative preparation and risk factors, and informed consent. Results: In the study, 78% were specialist physicians, 66% were in the 30-50 age range and 63% were female of the 174 participants. The most used resource was the Ministry of Health Guidelines (79% specialist, 63% resident). Among the information sources used, hospital and in-clinic training, World Health Organization website and scientific publications responses were significantly different between the groups (p=0.002;p=0.015 and p=0.013). The times of taking elective surgery after COVID-19;While the responses of specialists and residents were significantly different in asymptomatic patients, they were found to be similar in patients with symptomatic disease at home, symptomatic in hospital and in intensive care unit. Conclusion: Responses of specialists and residents about the timing of the operation;while it was significantly different in asymptomatic patients, it was found to be similar in those who had symptomatic disease at home and in the hospital and those who had admitted to intensive care.