COVID-19 exposure and health status of orthopedic residents: A survey study

Abstract

Considering the increased patient burden and disruptions in the healthcare system, orthopedic residents are affected both psychologically and physically while working both in the management of trauma patients and caring for COVID-19 patients. Our objective was to investigate the virus exposure and health status of orthopedic residents during the pandemic and to review the measures that can be taken. A survey consisting of 15 questions was organized and circulated through e-mail groups and social media platforms in order to evaluate the health status of residents. Demographic data, co-morbidities, whether they had a COVID-19 infection, time they work in orthopedics-related and COVID-related units, whether there was infection among their colleagues or family members and the infected patient care were questioned. A total of 136 residents completed the survey, of which 41 (30.1%) were infected. A significant difference was found between COVID-infected and COVID-free residents in terms of comorbidities (p=0.026). Residents with infection among their colleagues had lower infection rates (p<0.001). No significant difference was found between groups in terms of the working periods in orthopedics-related or COVID-related units (p>0.05 for each). With this study, the infection rate among orthopedic residents were reported for the first time in the literature, considering the fact that a third of all the participants in our study were infected. The infection rate among the orthopaedics residents were reported for the first time in the literature with this study. The fact that residents with infected colleagues have lower infection rates, demonstrates the importance of self-awareness and protective behaviors. During the pandemic, all healthcare professionals should pay maximum attention for simple measures, like practicing protective behaviors and use of personal protective equipment.

Internet and social media preferences of orthopaedic patients vary according to factors such as age and education levels

“…Following the ethical board approval, a survey consisting of 15 items and written in the native language was prepared, and printed. The survey was prepared by experienced clinicians who were actively involved in patient care in outpatient clinics and had previously taken part in survey studies (Gencer, Çulcu, & Doğan, 2022). In determining the survey questions, previous studies regarding self‐treatment and social media preferences were considered (Berryman et al, 2018; Curry et al, 2014; Duymus et al, 2017).…”

“…Moreover, the easier access to information triggers patients' tendency to self‐medicate or to research their diseases before seeing a physician. Especially since March 2020, after the outbreak of the COVID‐19 pandemic, the rate of patients doing preliminary research and self‐medicating by resorting to the internet have increased significantly, considering that people got used to living for a long time due to the circumstances of restrictions such as the curfews (Gencer & Doğan, 2022; Gencer, Çulcu, & Doğan, 2022).…”