1605P Being a medical oncologist during the COVID-19 pandemic: Perception, expectations and concerns. OATH study

Background: In COVID-19 pandemic, medical oncologists worked actively both in their own fields and in COVID-19 health services. In this process, they made efforts not only to disrupt the medical needs of their patients, but also to protect them from COVID-19 mortality with actively or telemedicine integrated. This study aims to determine both the perspective of medical oncologists on the pandemic process and their profession, and their burnout during the pandemic process within the scope of implicit questions. Methods: This research was conducted between April and August 2021, when the pandemic caused obscurity and devastating consequences around the world. The study was initiated after the ethics committee and administrative permissions were completed. 760 medical oncologists registered with the Turkish Medical Oncology Association were asked to participate in the survey by reminding them via e-mail or telephone. Results: The number of attendees was 397. The average age was 47± 11 years, and the average duration of work in oncology was 9± 7 years. Most of the participants were women (59%), with academic titles (61%), married (79%), who had at least 2 oncologists in the institution was 67%, and have a multidisciplinary council were 72%. The average number of patients per day was 40±11. 85% of the participants had sufficient knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate of those who were worried about spreading disease to their patients, colleagues and families during the pandemic process was 85%. Disease anxiety for themselves was 35%. The proportion of those who stated that the pandemic process consumed them was 75%, 67% worried that scientific productivity would decrease, and 76% worried that oncology-related occupational productivity would decrease. The rate of those who had a hobby and had to leave it was 92%. When compared with the pre-pandemic, the rate of those who considered themselves exhausted was 86%. Conclusions: It was determined that in the pandemic, the level of burnout of medical oncologists increased and they were more concerned about their loved ones and their patients. It can be concluded that it would be appropriate to develop methods of coping with burnout in the continuation of the pandemic process or in similar conditions. Legal entity responsible for the study: The author. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: The author has declared no conflicts of interest.