Articles: pandemics.
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Annals of family medicine · Apr 2022
Patient-centered home cancer screening attitudes during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
COVID-19 has caused disruptions in health care, in particular cancer screenings. The primary aim of our work was to evaluate the degree to which populations were accepting of home-based screenings for colorectal cancer (CRC) and cervical cancer (primary HPV testing). Three groups of adults having distinct health burdens which may affect acceptance of home-based cancer screening were identified through outpatient electronic medical records as follows as either having survived a COVID hospitalization, having been positive for non-COVID respiratory illness or having type 2 diabetes. 132 respondents (58% female) completed an online survey with hypothetical cases about their acceptance of home-based CRC or cervical cancer screening. ⋯ Among both males and females, CRC home screening with fecal immunochemical test (FIT) or Cologuard was acceptable to 60% of the respondents. When adjusting for education, women with a positive attitude toward home-based urine /vaginal screening were 49 times and 23 times more likely to have a positive attitude toward CRC screening (aOR=48.7 (95% CI: 7.1, 337) and aOR=23.2 (95% CI: 3.8, 142), respectively). This report indicates that home-based cancer screens for CRC and primary HPV testing are acceptable to men and women and may allow for greater compliance with screening in the future.
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Non-insured individuals have different healthcare needs from the general Canadian population and face unique barriers when accessing emergency department (ED) care. This qualitative study aims to better understand the system of emergency care for non-insured individuals from the perspective of healthcare providers. ⋯ Interviews with healthcare professionals have highlighted that marginalized populations, including non-insured individuals, face multiple barriers when accessing the ED, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, the temporary extension of health coverage to non-insured patients enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic has likely improved patients' healthcare experience, which we will explore directly with non-insured patients in a future study. In this post-COVID world, we now have an opportunity to learn from our experiences and build a more equitable ED system together.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Apr 2022
Effects of the first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic on the trauma surgery clinic of a German Level I Trauma Center.
The effects of the first pandemic wave on a German Level I Trauma Center should be evaluated to find ways to redistribute structural, personnel, and financial resources in a targeted manner in preparation for the assumed second pandemic wave. ⋯ To reduce the risk of an increased burden on the healthcare infrastructure, it suggests the care of trauma and COVID-19 patients should be separated locally, when possible.
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Annals of family medicine · Apr 2022
A qualitative study of adolescent perspectives on COVID-19 pandemic: considerations in the provision of primary virtual care.
Context: Amidst school shutdowns, sheltering in place, and social distancing, the COVID-19 pandemic uniquely affected adolescents. Understanding the experiences of adolescents with respect to social distancing, health changes, information sources and virtual care can inform effective health care for adolescents both during and after the pandemic. Objective: An exploration into their health care experiences during the beginning stage of the pandemic was undertaken to increase knowledge among family physicians to enable adjustments to the provision of care, primarily done virtually. ⋯ Parents were described as the most trusted source of information about the pandemic. Conclusions: Adolescents primarily look to parents for guidance and the increased family time promoted well-being. Physicians that are able to help adolescents negotiate privacy and mitigate communication challenges are able to provide effective virtual care.
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Annals of family medicine · Apr 2022
Patients' experience with virtual care during COVID-19 pandemic in primary care practice.
Context: The advent of COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020 galvanized primary care practices into adopting telemedicine to be able to continue delivering care to patients safely. As recipients of care delivered virtually, capturing patients' experience is key to evaluating its success and shortcomings. Objective: To describe patients' experience and perceptions with virtual care during COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ Interestingly, 84% (n=496) of responders had smart phones and only 28% had computers with video cameras. Conclusion: Patients have varying experiences in virtual care which should be taken into consideration as this method of care delivery becomes more integrated into primary care practice. Majority of patients surveyed had access to smartphones than computers with video camera which creates an opportunity for exploring the use of this modality to expand care delivered through telemedicine.