COVID-19 and surgical life: cross-sectional survey

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has disrupted the UK National Health Service (NHS)1. All surgical specialties have been affected by the diversion of resources to treat patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI) captured the experience of members related to the effect of the pandemic on professional and personal lives using an anonymized online 14 questionnaire survey distributed to its membership. Nine questions (Fig. 1, I-IX) aimed to capture the effect on the provision of surgical services, safety of patients and surgeons, professional and personal wellbeing, career plans, training, research and development; two questions assessed testing strategies and three questions (Fig. 1, X–XII) captured the feelings of pessimism or optimism related to professional and personal futures, as well as the future of the NHS. Participants could also offer open comments. Data were analysed using a mixed-methods approach.