Planning
Question 16: How is your surgical planning affected by the COVID-19 pandemic situation? (Answer rate 400/409, 97.7%) (Fig. 2)
Almost half of the participants (47.5%) answered that only medically or oncologically urgent operations were performed due to shortage of staff and intensive care unit beds. In hospitals treating more patients who were positive for COVID-19, surgical planning was clearly more affected (Fig. 6A).
Figure 6:  Planning. (A) How is surgical planning affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic? (B) How do you feel about the affected planning? (C) Are you and/or your colleagues involved in daily care of coronavirus disease 2019-positive patients? ICU: intensive care unit; IMC: intermediate care; OR: operating room. Question 17: How do you feel about the affected planning? (Answer rate 397/409, 97%) (Fig. 2)
Fifty-six percent of participants agreed with the reorganization of services. Only a minority of respondents (28.0%) felt forced to agree due to a lack of resources, but the answers from those at hospitals treating fewer patients who tested positive for COVID-19 were generally more positive (Fig. 6B).
Question 18: Are you and/or your thoracic surgery colleagues involved in the daily care of COVID-19 positive patients? (Answer rate 399/409, 97.5%) (Fig. 2)
The majority of respondents (63%) were involved in the daily care of patients with positive test results for COVID-19; surgeons in hospitals treating more patients with test results positive for COVID-19 were clearly more involved (Fig. 6C).