Patients’ perceptions of receiving orthopaedic care during a pandemic: a patient survey

Abstract

Background:Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has had a great effect on the health care landscape, including altering the availability and methods of orthopaedic care. There is little information regarding patients' perceptions of orthopaedic care during the pandemic. This study was designed to assess patient concerns surrounding orthopaedic care and determine what areas can be addressed to optimize orthopaedic care during this pandemic. Methods:In the spring of 2020, during this study that was exempt from institutional review board (IRB) approval, a survey designed to evaluate the attitudes and beliefs from healthcare consumers about receiving care during the COVID-19 pandemic was sent to a group of panelists via email. Results:Three hundred sixty-six (31%) out of 1,200 individuals completed the survey. The majority of participants expressed they would feel comfortable receiving care in orthopaedic clinics (48% immediately, 36% in 1 to 3 mo) in the immediate or near future. Participants reported they were more comfortable seeking orthopaedic care at an orthopedic urgent care facility (8% not comfortable) versus an emergency room (41% not comfortable). When thinking about receiving care at orthopaedic clinics, participants were most concerned about the risks of getting sick from other patients (18% extremely, 26% very). Seventeen percent of respondents reported that despite having orthopaedic concerns, they delayed seeking care due to COVID-19. One-third of respondents expressed a desire to know what precautions were in place to ensure safety. Conclusions:Patients remained interested in receiving orthopaedic care in the midst of a pandemic. As a result, physicians need to ensure that they effectively communicate what safety precautions are in place and what additional infection prevention measures are available.

Evolving perceptions regarding receiving orthopaedic care during the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: a follow-up survey

“…Six percent of respondents reported a delay in seeking orthopaedic care secondary to COVID-19 concerns in this study, compared to 17% of respondents in a similar study. 5 Respondents were becoming more comfortable with the idea of returning to traditional outpatient clinics for orthopaedic care. Also, respondents reported growing confidence in returning to the hospital and outpatient surgery centers for orthopaedic surgical interventions.…”

“…Eclipsing the 1-year mark of the beginning of the global pandemic, individuals continued to seek safe and efficient orthopaedic treatment. 5,11 Respondents were adopting new behaviors and perceptions in an effort to resume activities of daily living. Emphasis on hand hygiene, social distancing, mandatory mask-wearing, and facility cleaning and sterilization protocols have all become standard practice in providing orthopaedic care.…”

“…A survey was developed by a team of orthopaedic faculty, research staff, and a senior marketing insights director in the spring of 2020 to evaluate the attitudes and beliefs from healthcare respondents about receiving care during the COVID-19 pandemic. 5 It was updated and revised to evaluate changes in perception of respondents 9 mo into the pandemic. All respondents gave consent prior to receiving this survey.…”

“…Questions were a combination of yes/no, multiple choice, Likert scale, and one open ended question for comments. The responses to the December survey were compared with those reported on the earlier survey study conducted by Comadoll et al 5…”

“…10 Now in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, significant concern hinges on the perceived safety in obtaining care during the pandemic. Comadoll et al 5 collected survey responses from medical respondents within a large health system, analyzing their perception of receiving orthopaedic interventions during the pandemic. This study revealed that despite the overwhelming concern for contracting the COVID-19 virus, early in the pandemic respondents were still interested in and seeking orthopaedic care.…”