1
|
Yavuz T, Clezy K, Skender K, Goldberg J, Vallières F. How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect antibiotic consumption within humanitarian emergencies? Results from five humanitarian contexts. Infect Prev Pract 2024; 6:100385. [PMID: 39156831 PMCID: PMC11327931 DOI: 10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Both high- and low-income countries reported increased antibiotic consumption among COVID-19 patients during the first months of the pandemic. To date, however, no studies have examined changes in antibiotic consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic within humanitarian emergency contexts. Method Data was collected by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) for the years 2018-2021 across the following humanitarian settings: Afghanistan (Lashkar Gah), Bangladesh (Kutupalong), the Democratic Republic of Congo (Mweso and Baraka), and South Sudan (Bentiu). Inpatient and outpatient antibiotic consumption was calculated as Daily Defined Dose (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants per day, as per the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology. Interrupted time series (ITS) analysis, using an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model was used to analyse retrospective monthly antibiotic consumption. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic was evaluated as total antibiotic consumption and according to WHO Access, Watch, Reserve (AWaRe) group classifications within each humanitarian setting. Results The COVID-19 pandemic had no statistically significant impact on total antibiotic consumption in South Sudan (Bentiu) and Bangladesh (Kutupalong). Similarly, the pandemic had no impact on total antibiotic consumption in DR Congo (Baraka), despite an initial 0.27% (estimate=.274, p-value=0.006) increase in March 2020 driven by Access group antibiotics. Meanwhile, total antibiotic consumption in DR Congo (Mweso) and Afghanistan (Lashkar Gah) declined by 0.74% (estimate = -.744, p = 0.003) and 0.26% (estimate = -.26, p < 0.001), respectively with the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion Further studies are required to investigate what may have contributed to these results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tuba Yavuz
- Trinity Centre for Global Health, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kate Clezy
- Operational Centre Amsterdam (OCA), Médecins Sans Frontières, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Kristina Skender
- Operational Centre Amsterdam (OCA), Médecins Sans Frontières, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jacob Goldberg
- Operational Centre Amsterdam (OCA), Médecins Sans Frontières, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Frédérique Vallières
- Trinity Centre for Global Health, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lee GYL, Lim RBT. Are self-test kits still relevant post COVID-19 pandemic? Qualitative study on working adults' perceptions. Infect Dis Health 2024; 29:73-80. [PMID: 38049368 DOI: 10.1016/j.idh.2023.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Other than self-isolation measures, self-testing is likely to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and may become a valuable approach in future outbreaks of infectious diseases. This study delves into the perceptions and experiences of working adults who utilised COVID-19 self-test kits in Singapore during the post-pandemic period. METHODS Employing a qualitative descriptive design, in-depth interviews were conducted with 40 working adults from diverse occupations, with a median age of 35 years. Thematic analysis of transcribed interviews was carried out by two independent qualitative research-trained researchers. RESULTS Facilitators included personal motivations like safeguarding vulnerable individuals and the convenience of user-friendly self-test kits. Proximal environmental factors encompassed situations involving close contacts and large gatherings, while distal factors involved workplace regulations, public health campaigns, mass media influence, and trust in authorised kits. Nonetheless, barriers include discomfort, cost, uncertainty about proper technique, and evolving testing requirements. Positive test results prompted participants to notify contacts and self-isolate, whereas negative results encouraged a return to normalcy. Participants recommend sustained testing for new variants and vulnerable groups, though some view it as unnecessary due to pandemic normalisation. CONCLUSIONS Self-testing emerged as a social phenomenon influenced by societal obligations and relationships across multiple levels. Effective communication strategies may play a role in fostering trust and ensuring that working adults sustain the practice of self-testing; therefore, further research is needed to explore their potential impact. Such efforts could be valuable for maintaining vigilance and achieving effective disease control in the post-COVID-19 pandemic landscape.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gladys Yu Lin Lee
- Health Sciences Authority, 11 Biopolis Way #11-01 Helios, Singapore 138667, Singapore City, Singapore; Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Tahir Foundation Building, 12 Science Drive 2, #10-01, Singapore 117549, Singapore City, Singapore.
| | - Raymond Boon Tar Lim
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Tahir Foundation Building, 12 Science Drive 2, #10-01, Singapore 117549, Singapore City, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Barbieri G, Pizzato M, Gögele M, Giardiello D, Weichenberger CX, Foco L, Bottigliengo D, Bertelli C, Barin L, Lundin R, Pramstaller PP, Pattaro C, Melotti R. Trends and symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection: a longitudinal study on an Alpine population representative sample. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e072650. [PMID: 37290944 PMCID: PMC10254957 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-072650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The continuous monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 infection waves and the emergence of novel pathogens pose a challenge for effective public health surveillance strategies based on diagnostics. Longitudinal population representative studies on incident events and symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection are scarce. We aimed at describing the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020 and 2021 through regular monitoring of self-reported symptoms in an Alpine community sample. DESIGN To this purpose, we designed a longitudinal population representative study, the Cooperative Health Research in South Tyrol COVID-19 study. PARTICIPANTS AND OUTCOME MEASURES A sample of 845 participants was retrospectively investigated for active and past infections with swab and blood tests, by August 2020, allowing adjusted cumulative incidence estimation. Of them, 700 participants without previous infection or vaccination were followed up monthly until July 2021 for first-time infection and symptom self-reporting: COVID-19 anamnesis, social contacts, lifestyle and sociodemographic data were assessed remotely through digital questionnaires. Temporal symptom trajectories and infection rates were modelled through longitudinal clustering and dynamic correlation analysis. Negative binomial regression and random forest analysis assessed the relative importance of symptoms. RESULTS At baseline, the cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 1.10% (95% CI 0.51%, 2.10%). Symptom trajectories mimicked both self-reported and confirmed cases of incident infections. Cluster analysis identified two groups of high-frequency and low-frequency symptoms. Symptoms like fever and loss of smell fell in the low-frequency cluster. Symptoms most discriminative of test positivity (loss of smell, fatigue and joint-muscle aches) confirmed prior evidence. CONCLUSIONS Regular symptom tracking from population representative samples is an effective screening tool auxiliary to laboratory diagnostics for novel pathogens at critical times, as manifested in this study of COVID-19 patterns. Integrated surveillance systems might benefit from more direct involvement of citizens' active symptom tracking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Barbieri
- Institute for Biomedicine (affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Massimo Pizzato
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Martin Gögele
- Institute for Biomedicine (affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Daniele Giardiello
- Institute for Biomedicine (affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | | | - Luisa Foco
- Institute for Biomedicine (affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Daniele Bottigliengo
- Institute for Biomedicine (affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Cinzia Bertelli
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Laura Barin
- Institute for Biomedicine (affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Rebecca Lundin
- Institute for Biomedicine (affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Peter P Pramstaller
- Institute for Biomedicine (affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Cristian Pattaro
- Institute for Biomedicine (affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Roberto Melotti
- Institute for Biomedicine (affiliated to the University of Lübeck), Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Supplisson O, Charmet T, Galmiche S, Schaeffer L, Chény O, Lévy A, Jeandet N, Omar F, David C, Mailles A, Fontanet A. SARS-CoV-2 self-test uptake and factors associated with self-testing during Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 waves in France, January to May 2022. Euro Surveill 2023; 28:2200781. [PMID: 37140451 PMCID: PMC10161682 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.18.2200781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundFollowing the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant spread, the use of unsupervised antigenic rapid diagnostic tests (self-tests) increased.AimThis study aimed to measure self-test uptake and factors associated with self-testing.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study from 20 January to 2 May 2022, the case series from a case-control study on factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection were used to analyse self-testing habits in France. A multivariable quasi-Poisson regression was used to explore the variables associated with self-testing among symptomatic cases who were not contacts of another infected individual. The control series from the same study was used as a proxy for the self-test background rate in the non-infected population of France.ResultsDuring the study period, 179,165 cases who tested positive through supervised tests were recruited. Of these, 64.7% had performed a self-test in the 3 days preceding this supervised test, of which 79,038 (68.2%) were positive. The most frequently reported reason for self-testing was the presence of symptoms (64.6%). Among symptomatic cases who were not aware of being contacts of another case, self-testing was positively associated with being female, higher education, household size, being a teacher and negatively associated with older age, not French by birth, healthcare-related work and immunosuppression. Among the control series, 12% self-tested during the 8 days preceding questionnaire filling, with temporal heterogeneity.ConclusionThe analysis showed high self-test uptake in France with some inequalities which must be addressed through education and facilitated access (cost and availability) for making it a more efficient epidemic control tool.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Supplisson
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Emerging Diseases Epidemiology Unit, Paris, France
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Ecology and Evolution of Health team (Collège de France, CNRS/UMR 7241, Inserm U1050), Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Tiffany Charmet
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Emerging Diseases Epidemiology Unit, Paris, France
| | - Simon Galmiche
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Emerging Diseases Epidemiology Unit, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Laura Schaeffer
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Emerging Diseases Epidemiology Unit, Paris, France
| | - Olivia Chény
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Clinical Operation Coordination Office, Paris, France
| | - Anne Lévy
- Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Maladie, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Arnaud Fontanet
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Emerging Diseases Epidemiology Unit, Paris, France
- Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, unité PACRI, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kim Y, Donnelly CA, Nouvellet P. Drivers of SARS-CoV-2 testing behaviour: a modelling study using nationwide testing data in England. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2148. [PMID: 37059861 PMCID: PMC10103662 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37813-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, national testing programmes were conducted worldwide on unprecedented scales. While testing behaviour is generally recognised as dynamic and complex, current literature demonstrating and quantifying such relationships is scarce, despite its importance for infectious disease surveillance and control. Here, we characterise the impacts of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, disease susceptibility/severity, risk perception, and public health measures on SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing behaviour in England over 20 months of the pandemic, by linking testing trends to underlying epidemic trends and contextual meta-data within a systematic conceptual framework. The best-fitting model describing SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing behaviour explained close to 80% of the total deviance in NHS test data. Testing behaviour showed complex associations with factors reflecting transmission level, disease susceptibility/severity (e.g. age, dominant variant, and vaccination), public health measures (e.g. testing strategies and lockdown), and associated changes in risk perception, varying throughout the pandemic and differing between infected and non-infected people.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Younjung Kim
- Department of Evolution, Behaviour, and Environment, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Christl A Donnelly
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis and Abdul Latif Jameel Institute for Disease and Emergency Analytics, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Pierre Nouvellet
- Department of Evolution, Behaviour, and Environment, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis and Abdul Latif Jameel Institute for Disease and Emergency Analytics, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chen G, Shen S, Tat T, Zhao X, Zhou Y, Fang Y, Chen J. Wearable respiratory sensors for COVID-19 monitoring. VIEW 2022; 3:20220024. [PMID: 36710943 PMCID: PMC9874505 DOI: 10.1002/viw.20220024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Since its outbreak in 2019, COVID-19 becomes a pandemic, severely burdening the public healthcare systems and causing an economic burden. Thus, societies around the world are prioritizing a return to normal. However, fighting the recession could rekindle the pandemic owing to the lightning-fast transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, many of those who are infected remain asymptomatic for several days, leading to the increased possibility of unintended transmission of the virus. Thus, developing rigorous and universal testing technologies to continuously detect COVID-19 for entire populations remains a critical challenge that needs to be overcome. Wearable respiratory sensors can monitor biomechanical signals such as the abnormities in respiratory rate and cough frequency caused by COVID-19, as well as biochemical signals such as viral biomarkers from exhaled breaths. The point-of-care system enabled by advanced respiratory sensors is expected to promote better control of the pandemic by providing an accessible, continuous, widespread, noninvasive, and reliable solution for COVID-19 diagnosis, monitoring, and management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guorui Chen
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCalifornia90095USA
| | - Sophia Shen
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCalifornia90095USA
| | - Trinny Tat
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCalifornia90095USA
| | - Xun Zhao
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCalifornia90095USA
| | - Yihao Zhou
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCalifornia90095USA
| | - Yunsheng Fang
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCalifornia90095USA
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCalifornia90095USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Davis KAS, Carr E, Leightley D, Vitiello V, Bergin-Cartwright G, Lavelle G, Wickersham A, Malim MH, Oetzmann C, Polling C, Stevelink SAM, Razavi R, Hotopf M. Indicators of recent COVID-19 infection status: findings from a large occupational cohort of staff and postgraduate research students from a UK university. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1514. [PMID: 35945541 PMCID: PMC9363143 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13889-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Researchers conducting cohort studies may wish to investigate the effect of episodes of COVID-19 illness on participants. A definitive diagnosis of COVID-19 is not always available, so studies have to rely on proxy indicators. This paper seeks to contribute evidence that may assist the use and interpretation of these COVID-indicators. METHODS We described five potential COVID-indicators: self-reported core symptoms, a symptom algorithm; self-reported suspicion of COVID-19; self-reported external results; and home antibody testing based on a 'lateral flow' antibody (IgG/IgM) test cassette. Included were staff and postgraduate research students at a large London university who volunteered for the study and were living in the UK in June 2020. Excluded were those who did not return a valid antibody test result. We provide descriptive statistics of prevalence and overlap of the five indicators. RESULTS Core symptoms were the most common COVID-indicator (770/1882 participants positive, 41%), followed by suspicion of COVID-19 (n = 509/1882, 27%), a positive symptom algorithm (n = 298/1882, 16%), study antibody lateral flow positive (n = 124/1882, 7%) and a positive external test result (n = 39/1882, 2%), thus a 20-fold difference between least and most common. Meeting any one indicator increased the likelihood of all others, with concordance between 65 and 94%. Report of a low suspicion of having had COVID-19 predicted a negative antibody test in 98%, but positive suspicion predicted a positive antibody test in only 20%. Those who reported previous external antibody tests were more likely to have received a positive result from the external test (24%) than the study test (15%). CONCLUSIONS Our results support the use of proxy indicators of past COVID-19, with the caveat that none is perfect. Differences from previous antibody studies, most significantly in lower proportions of participants positive for antibodies, may be partly due to a decline in antibody detection over time. Subsequent to our study, vaccination may have further complicated the interpretation of COVID-indicators, only strengthening the need to critically evaluate what criteria should be used to define COVID-19 cases when designing studies and interpreting study results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katrina A S Davis
- King's College London Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK.
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Ewan Carr
- King's College London Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
| | - Daniel Leightley
- King's College London Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
| | - Valentina Vitiello
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Gabriella Bergin-Cartwright
- King's College London Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Grace Lavelle
- King's College London Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
| | - Alice Wickersham
- King's College London Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Michael H Malim
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, London, UK
| | - Carolin Oetzmann
- King's College London Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
| | - Catherine Polling
- King's College London Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Sharon A M Stevelink
- King's College London Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
| | - Reza Razavi
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Matthew Hotopf
- King's College London Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Suk JE, Pharris A, Beauté J, Colzani E, Needham H, Kinsman J, Niehus R, Grah R, Omokanye A, Plachouras D, Baka A, Prasse B, Sandmann F, Severi E, Alm E, Wiltshire E, Ciancio B. Public health considerations for transitioning beyond the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the EU/EEA. EURO SURVEILLANCE : BULLETIN EUROPEEN SUR LES MALADIES TRANSMISSIBLES = EUROPEAN COMMUNICABLE DISEASE BULLETIN 2022; 27. [PMID: 35485272 PMCID: PMC9052765 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2022.27.17.2200155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Many countries, including some within the EU/EEA, are in the process of transitioning from the acute pandemic phase. During this transition, it is crucial that countries’ strategies and activities remain guided by clear COVID-19 control objectives, which increasingly will focus on preventing and managing severe outcomes. Therefore, attention must be given to the groups that are particularly vulnerable to severe outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection, including individuals in congregate and healthcare settings. In this phase of pandemic management, a strong focus must remain on transitioning testing approaches and systems for targeted surveillance of COVID-19, capitalising on and strengthening existing systems for respiratory virus surveillance. Furthermore, it will be crucial to focus on lessons learned from the pandemic to enhance preparedness and to enact robust systems for the preparedness, detection, rapid investigation and assessment of new and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Filling existing knowledge gaps, including behavioural insights, can help guide the response to future resurgences of SARS-CoV-2 and/or the emergence of other pandemics. Finally, ‘vaccine agility’ will be needed to respond to changes in people’s behaviours, changes in the virus, and changes in population immunity, all the while addressing issues of global health equity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan E Suk
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anastasia Pharris
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Julien Beauté
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Edoardo Colzani
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Howard Needham
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - John Kinsman
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rene Niehus
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rok Grah
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ajibola Omokanye
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Agoritsa Baka
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bastian Prasse
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Frank Sandmann
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ettore Severi
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Erik Alm
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emma Wiltshire
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bruno Ciancio
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Patients' and clinicians' perspectives on the primary care consultations for acute respiratory infections during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: an eight-country qualitative study in Europe. BJGP Open 2022; 6:BJGPO.2021.0172. [PMID: 35031559 PMCID: PMC9447319 DOI: 10.3399/bjgpo.2021.0172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients’ and clinicians’ perceptions of healthcare-seeking behaviour and delivery of care is unclear. The pandemic accelerated the use of remote care, and understanding its benefits and drawbacks may inform its implementation during current and future healthcare emergencies. Aim To explore patients’ and primary care professionals’ (PCPs) experiences of primary care delivery in the first wave of the pandemic. Design & setting Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews in primary care in eight European countries (England, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Greece, Poland, Sweden, and Germany). Method A total of 146 interviews were conducted with 80 PCPs and 66 patients consulting for respiratory tract infection (RTI) symptoms, in eight European countries. Data were collected between April and July 2020, and analysed using thematic analysis. Results It was found that patients accepted telemedicine when PCPs spent time to understand and address their concerns, but a minority preferred in-person consultations. PCPs felt that remote consultations created emotional distance between themselves and patients, and they reported having to manage diverse COVID-19-related medical and social concerns. Conclusion Remote consultations for RTI symptoms may be acceptable long term if both groups are happy to use this format, but it is important that PCPs take time to address patients’ concerns and provide safety-netting advice.
Collapse
|