The COVID-19 Response: Perspectives ofInfectious Diseases and Clinical MicrobiologyPhysicians in Turkey

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to identify the needs and the roles of infectious diseases and clinicalmicrobiology (IDCM) specialists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We performed an electronic survey among the IDCM physicians who are membersof the Turkish Society of Clinical Microbiology Infectious Diseases (Turkish SCMID, KLİMİK). Results: In total 414 IDCM physicians responded to the survey with a response rate of22.3%. Sixty-five out of 81 (80%) cities were represented with 300 health care facilities.The participants reported that COVID-19 emergency tasks including swabbing, triage andnight shifts performed most commonly by IDCM physicians (92.7%) followed by emergencymedicine physicians (86.1%) and daily tasks in inpatient clinics are most commonlyperformed by IDCM (98%) physicians followed by chest diseases physicians (78.1%). In 20%of health care facilities, the access to personal protective equipment and drugs was limited.The participants reported that from May to August 2020 at least 70 IDCM specialists haveresigned because of work overload and exhaustion.Conclusion: Successful management of a pandemic could only be possible by participationand harmony of all local and national task forces. Professional societies such as KLİMİKbecame more important after the experience of the pandemic.