AWARENESS AND IMPACT OF CORONA VIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) ON NEUROSURGEONS

Objective: To assess the knowledge of neurosurgeons about COVID-19, its effects on them and effectiveness of tele medicine in triaging patients during this pandemic. Study Design: Cross sectional survey. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Neurosurgery, CMH Rawalpindi from May 2020 to May 2020. Methodology: After taking approval from ethical committee a questionnaire was spread through social media in 120 Neurosurgeons including consultants and post graduate Residents out of which 111 responded. The ques-tionnaire included socio-demographic details, questions pertaining to the overall knowledge about COVID-19, tele medicine and its use for triaging patients and impact of COVID-19 on various aspects of neurosurgeons. Results: On the basis of gender, females were 10 (9%) and majority study population being PG residents 69 (76.66%) with the mean age of 33.43 ± 5.6 years. 76 (68.46%) neurosurgeons reported that they were familiar with the protocols of treating patients during COVID-19 outbreak and 86 (77.47%) opted for treating only emergency cases and deferring elective procedures. Conclusion: COVID-19 has affected personal, social and educational activities of neurosurgeons; however, majori-ty of neurosurgeons are familiar with the protocols of treating patients during this pandemic and are using tele-medicine for triaging patients.