Impact of the COVID‐19 Pandemic Onset on the Early Careers of Pediatric Oncology Health Professionals and Researchers: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group Young Investigators Committee, Young SIOP Network, and Young SIOPE

ABSTRACT Introduction The COVID‐19 pandemic onset had a global debilitating impact on individuals and on burgeoning careers. In 2021, the Children's Oncology Group Young Investigators Committee, Young SIOP (International Society of Paediatric Oncology) Network, and Young SIOPE (European Society for Paediatric Oncology) co‐sponsored a survey to explore the impacts of the first year of the pandemic on early‐career pediatric oncology professionals with respect to working practices, productivity, professional and career development, personal wellbeing, and changing childcare needs. Methods The survey comprised demographic, multiple‐choice, and free‐text questions, and was distributed via email and social media with English, French, and Spanish versions available. Descriptive statistics and chi‐square tests were used to compare quantitative data by self‐designated gender and country of origin. Qualitative data were described using content analysis. Results Professionals (N = 499, 26.3% male, 77.2% MDs) in 48 countries (77.6% high income) responded in English (79.4%), Spanish (12.4%), and French (8.2%). Respondents had difficulty obtaining and keeping jobs (26.9%), worsened overall academic productivity (50.7%, with higher rates among bench scientists, p