THE BURDEN OF RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS IN ADULT AND PEDIATRIC HEALTHCARE SERVICES IN TURKIYE: FINDINGS FROM A SURVEY OF PHYSICIANS AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
Author(s)
Ekin Begum Ozdemir, MSc1, OZNUR SEYHUN, BSc, MFE, MSc2, Selin Okcun, MSc3, Guvenc Kockaya, MSc, PhD, MD2, Simten Malhan, Prof. Dr.4, Zafer Caliskan, PhD5, Haluk Özsari, Prof. Dr.6, Ilknur Okay, BSc7.
1Econix Research, İstanbul, Turkey, 2Econix Research, Tallin, Estonia, 3Health Economist, Econix Research, Samsun, Turkey, 4Başkent Üniversitesi, ANKARA, Turkey, 5Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey, 6İstanbul Üniversitesi, İstanbul, Turkey, 7El Bebek Gül Bebek Derneği, Istanbul, Turkey.
1Econix Research, İstanbul, Turkey, 2Econix Research, Tallin, Estonia, 3Health Economist, Econix Research, Samsun, Turkey, 4Başkent Üniversitesi, ANKARA, Turkey, 5Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey, 6İstanbul Üniversitesi, İstanbul, Turkey, 7El Bebek Gül Bebek Derneği, Istanbul, Turkey.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical, healthcare system, social, and economic burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Türkiye based on physicians’ and healthcare professionals’ experiences, identify knowledge gaps, and support evidence-based policy recommendations for RSV prevention and management.
METHODS: A digital SurveyMonkey survey was conducted between August 28 and October 6, 2025, among healthcare professionals in Türkiye. Two groups were included: 52 pediatric professionals completing a 35-question survey and 34 adult-pediatric professionals completing a 26-question survey. The surveys assessed RSV-related hospitalizations, consultations, bed occupancy, resource use, waiting times, testing and treatment practices, isolation measures, nosocomial infection risk, workforce impact, prevention strategies, and immunization access.
RESULTS: RSV caused substantial seasonal pressure across healthcare services. In the pediatric group, RSV surges increased hospitalizations in 92% of respondents, with allied staff shortages reported by 67%, bedside nurse shortages by 65%, and after-hours resource deficits by 63%. Elevated transmission risks, postponed elective treatments, reduced bed capacity, and isolation non-compliance were reported by 94%, 90%, 85%, and 40%, respectively. RSV patients accounted for 40% average seasonal bed occupancy, and mean length of stay increased from 6.3 to 11.5 days in high-risk patients. In the adult-pediatric group, RSV increased pediatric consultations by 94%, chronic respiratory follow-ups by 82%, and outpatient visits by 71%. Prolonged clinic waits, delayed critical/emergency treatments, and increased emergency referrals were reported by 85%, 82%, and 76%, respectively; peak-season waits reached 10 hours and referral delays 24 hours. Workforce impact was substantial, with increased workload, burnout, and turnover reported by 85%-92%, 73%-74%, and 71%-79%.
CONCLUSIONS: RSV imposes a severe clinical, operational, and psychological burden on Turkish healthcare services. Coordinated infection prevention, strengthened primary care, expanded diagnostics, workforce support, PPE readiness, caregiver education, and sustainable national immunization policies are needed to reduce system-wide RSV disruptions.
METHODS: A digital SurveyMonkey survey was conducted between August 28 and October 6, 2025, among healthcare professionals in Türkiye. Two groups were included: 52 pediatric professionals completing a 35-question survey and 34 adult-pediatric professionals completing a 26-question survey. The surveys assessed RSV-related hospitalizations, consultations, bed occupancy, resource use, waiting times, testing and treatment practices, isolation measures, nosocomial infection risk, workforce impact, prevention strategies, and immunization access.
RESULTS: RSV caused substantial seasonal pressure across healthcare services. In the pediatric group, RSV surges increased hospitalizations in 92% of respondents, with allied staff shortages reported by 67%, bedside nurse shortages by 65%, and after-hours resource deficits by 63%. Elevated transmission risks, postponed elective treatments, reduced bed capacity, and isolation non-compliance were reported by 94%, 90%, 85%, and 40%, respectively. RSV patients accounted for 40% average seasonal bed occupancy, and mean length of stay increased from 6.3 to 11.5 days in high-risk patients. In the adult-pediatric group, RSV increased pediatric consultations by 94%, chronic respiratory follow-ups by 82%, and outpatient visits by 71%. Prolonged clinic waits, delayed critical/emergency treatments, and increased emergency referrals were reported by 85%, 82%, and 76%, respectively; peak-season waits reached 10 hours and referral delays 24 hours. Workforce impact was substantial, with increased workload, burnout, and turnover reported by 85%-92%, 73%-74%, and 71%-79%.
CONCLUSIONS: RSV imposes a severe clinical, operational, and psychological burden on Turkish healthcare services. Coordinated infection prevention, strengthened primary care, expanded diagnostics, workforce support, PPE readiness, caregiver education, and sustainable national immunization policies are needed to reduce system-wide RSV disruptions.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
CO177
Topic
Clinical Outcomes
Disease
Respiratory-Related Disorders (Allergy, Asthma, Smoking, Other Respiratory)