Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Practice of MIGS in the Philippines

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To establish baseline information on the practice of gynecologic endoscopists amid the COVID-19 pandemic DESIGN: Online survey was conducted among Fellows of the Philippine Society for Gynecologic Endoscopy (PSGE) from October 3 to October 12, 2020. SETTING: Nationwide. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS: Fellows in practice. INTERVENTIONS: Online survey distributed to participants via email. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The survey consisted of 5 subsections: (1) demographic data, (2) impact of COVID-19 pandemic on MIGS practice, (3) changes of practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, and (4) changes in the conduct of surgery and post-operative care. A frequency distribution table was used to summarize responses. A total of 119 out of 144 PSGE Fellows participated in the survey. Average age was 53 years old, majority practicing in the National Capital Region, and practicing for more than fifteen years. Nearly all respondents cancelled surgeries due to the pandemic. As of the time of the survey, only 41% and 68.1% of Fellows had returned to perform laparoscopy and hysteroscopy respectively. Most respondents noted that their hospital of practice provided protocols for elective surgery. Majority (71.4%) reported reduced surgical staff with 30.6% due to resignation. Clinical practice saw the shift from face-to-face consults to the use of telemedicine (74.8%). Face masks and shields, and PPE were the top three precautions taken in the clinics, while symptom assessment, temperature screening, and RT-PCR testing were the most common screening procedures prior to surgery. Respondents also preferred laparotomy over laparoscopy (64.7%). Most of the respondents reported availability of disposable equipment, use of face mask, eye protection, and half or full respirator mask in the operating room. CONCLUSION: The findings show that the COVID-19 pandemic markedly disrupted clinical and surgical practice among Fellows across the country. Adaptation of several precautionary measures and screening procedures to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV 2 transmission to patients and healthcare workers were done.