Patient’s perspective on the implementation of measures to contain the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in a Portuguese Gastroenterology Department

Gomes, Catarina; Pinho, Rolando; Ponte, Ana; Silva, João Carlos; Afecto, Edgar; Correia, João Paulo Sales Oliveira; Carvalho, João

doi:10.1097/meg.0000000000001942

Cited by 5 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…It proved to be a valuable tool to keep healthcare providers in contact with their patients while avoiding the risk of infection. Recent studies assessing patients' perspectives have reported high acceptability and satisfaction rates for this model [ 16 , 17 ]. However, it might not be appropriate for certain patients and specific situations, which require individual adaptations.…”

Section: Discussion/conclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 in Gastroenterology Departments: The Impact of the First Wave

Leal

Gonçalves

Mocanu

et al. 2021

GE Port J Gastroenterol

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Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic that has severely affected health care systems around the world. During the emergency state declared in Portugal in the months of March and April 2020, there was a severe reduction in medical activity in order to reduce the pressure on health systems. This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 in gastroenterology departments across Portugal and the strategies developed to overcome this challenge. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study based on an online survey. A detailed questionnaire concerning different aspects of gastroenterology department activity was sent via e-mail to the heads of gastroenterology departments of Portuguese District Hospitals (Núcleo de Gastroenterologia dos Hospitais Distritais). Two periods were assessed, i.e., the emergency state and the recovery period between May and September. The responses were collected between September and October 2020. Results: A total of 21 hospitals were enrolled (80.8% response rate). Twenty-eight percent of the responders reported healthcare professionals from their unit infected with COVID-19. At least 1 member (mostly fellows) of the department was deployed to another workplace in 66.7% of the hospitals. During the emergency state, 47.6% of the hospitals only performed urgent/emergent endoscopic procedures. In 38.5% of the hospitals the need to ration personal protective equipment led to the suspension of endoscopic training. Regarding the recovery period, nonurgent procedures were restarted in almost all of the centers. The same was reported for the colorectal cancer screening program. Remarkably, 81% of the responders confirmed that they had postponed procedures at patients’ request for “fear of getting infected.” Remote consultation was maintained in 81% of the hospitals. Globally, the fellows had resumed their training. Discussion/Conclusion: This study provides a snapshot of the impact and consequences of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic across Portuguese hospitals. It is important to understand how the gastroenterology world dealt with the first impact of COVID-19 and what strategies were implemented in order to better prepare for what might follow.

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Section: Discussion/conclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 in Gastroenterology Departments: The Impact of the First Wave

Leal

Gonçalves

Mocanu

et al. 2021

GE Port J Gastroenterol

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“…6,12 IBD patients have shown positive attitudes towards receiving ongoing digital care for follow-up consultations. [17][18][19][20][21] IBD patients have also significantly benefited from telecare by having reduced travel time, distances and out-of-pocket costs when accessing follow-up appointments virtually instead of in-person. 3 Landmark telehealth projects, such as Project ECHO, have transformed hepatology practice.…”

Section: Paper Journal and Year Summarymentioning

confidence: 99%

Review article: Telecare in gastroenterology—Within the COVID‐19 pandemic and beyond

Hakak,

Patel,

Gearry

2024

Aliment Pharmacol Ther

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SummaryBackgroundTelehealth is a growing model of care, greatly accelerated with the demands of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Telecare is a synchronous audio‐visual or audio‐only format of health delivery.AimsTo evaluate the existing literature on telecare within adult gastroenterology subspecialties to determine if outcomes are comparable to traditional in‐person consultations and to highlight the Pokapū Network, a local initiative in the Lakes Region of New Zealand, amongst these international findings.MethodsWe completed an OVID MEDLINE search using the terms gastroenterology, endoscopy, digestive system, inflammatory bowel disease, functional, hepatology, liver, telemedicine, telehealth, videoconferencing, remote consultation, video clinic and telephone clinic.ResultsPatients showed positive attitudes towards telecare and, in several reports, would elect to have telecare consults in the future. Telecare reduces travel time and out‐of‐pocket costs for patients and the need for patients to take time off work. Generally, patients engaging with telecare show equivalent health outcomes to patients engaging with traditional models of care. Patients from ethnic minority groups or lower socio‐economic backgrounds, or who are older, are less likely to complete a ‘successful’ telecare consult.ConclusionTelecare is a useful model of care to allow gastroenterology centres to function within the context of COVID‐19 isolation and beyond. It has significant benefits for patients who face geographical and financial barriers to accessing healthcare. Telecare models such as the Pokapū Network hold promise in reducing inequities for gastroenterology patients. Such models must be introduced with consideration of digital disparities that exist amongst patients to avoid worsening the digital divide.

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“…In a survey study of 115 individuals with IBD in Italy (of whom 100 completed the questionnaire), trust in telemedicine services for consultation and desire to continue to use telemedicine services was >90% ( 15 ). Additionally, in a Portuguese survey study of 973 individuals with IBD, 88.8% supported remote consultations and 77.3% were satisfied with this type of appointment ( 16 ). Although less commonly reported, some centres even utilized social media and alternate communication platforms (e.g., WeChat) in order to facilitate the delivery of virtual care ( 8 ).…”

Section: Changes In Health Care Deliverymentioning

confidence: 99%

Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s 2021 Impact of COVID-19 and Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: Health Care Delivery During the Pandemic and the Future Model of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care

Jones

Benchimol

Bernstein

et al. 2021

Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology

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The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had a profound impact on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) health care delivery. The implementation of necessary public health restrictions has restricted access to medications, procedures and surgeries throughout the pandemic, catalyzing widespread change in how IBD care is delivered. Rapid large-scale implementation of virtual care modalities has been shown to be feasible and acceptable for the majority of individuals with IBD and health care providers. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing barriers to accessing high-quality, multidisciplinary IBD care that addresses health care needs holistically. Continued implementation and evaluation of both synchronous and asynchronous eHealthcare modalities are required now and in the future in order to determine how best to incorporate these modalities into patient-centred, collaborative care models. Resources must be dedicated to studies that evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of eHealth-enhanced models of IBD care to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness, while increasing quality of life for persons living with IBD. Crohn’s and Colitis Canada will continue to play a major leadership role in advocating for the health care delivery models that improve the quality of life for persons living with IBD.

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Patient’s perspective on the implementation of measures to contain the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in a Portuguese Gastroenterology Department

Abstract: Figure 1 Sex and age group distribution (%) Figure 2 Working people according to age distribution,

Cited by 5 publications

References 8 publications

COVID-19 in Gastroenterology Departments: The Impact of the First Wave

COVID-19 in Gastroenterology Departments: The Impact of the First Wave

Review article: Telecare in gastroenterology—Within the COVID‐19 pandemic and beyond

Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s 2021 Impact of COVID-19 and Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: Health Care Delivery During the Pandemic and the Future Model of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care

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