Assessing the quality of life of head and neck healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic-A self-reported global cross-sectional questionnaire study by the International Federation of Head and Neck Oncologic Societies

Background Considering the pandemic's mode of transmission, the impact on quality of life (QOL) is likely to be exaggerated among healthcare workers (HCWs) who treat head and neck diseases (hHCWs). Methods A cross-sectional self-reported QOL assessment was undertaken between July and September 2020 using the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument sent out to hHCWs. Factors that predicted a poorer QOL were identified using regression models and mediation analysis. Results Responses from 979 individuals across 53 countries were analyzed with 62.4% participation from low- and middle-income countries. The physical domain had the highest mean scores of 15 +/- 2.51, while the environmental domain was the lowest (14.17 +/- 2.42). Participants from low- and middle-income countries had a significantly worse physical (p < 0.001) and environmental (p < 0.001) domains, while a low coronavirus disease 2019-related mortality significantly impacted the environmental domain (p-0.034). Conclusion QOL-related issues among hHCWs are a vexing problem and need intervention at an individual and systems level in all parts of the world.