Post-lockdown challenges for ophthalmologists during COVID-19 pandemic in India

Goel, Madhav; Goel, Sonu; Sachdev, Mahipal S; Sharma, Namrata; Mishra, Deepak; Yadav, Gautam; Barua, Nabanita; Aggarwal, Sarita

doi:10.4103/ijo.ijo_3550_20

Cited by 7 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 15 publications

(16 reference statements)

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“…Similarly, Arslan et al identified 47% of physicians reported their workload had also decreased (2021). Of the included studies, one reported only a reduction in workloads for ophthalmologists (Goel et al, 2021). The study reported a 90% reduction in workloads, specifically surgical work.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of pandemics on healthcare providers' workloads: A scoping review

Doleman

Leo

Bloxsome

2023

Journal of Advanced Nursing

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AimsTo review and synthesize available evidence exploring the impact of pandemics on direct healthcare providers' workloads in the acute care setting.DesignScoping review.Data SourcesA review of English research articles published up to August 2022 that examined the impact of pandemics on healthcare providers’ workloads was undertaken. Studies were identified by searching four electronic databases: Medline (EBSCO), CINAHL (EBSCO), Web of Science and PsychInfo (EBSCO). Fifty‐five studies met the inclusion criteria.Review MethodsThe review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses Scoping Review checklist.ResultsHealthcare workers experience an increase in workload pressures during a pandemic. This included patients requiring more care, undertaking non‐normal work activities, increase in work content including changes to documentation, increase in demand and skills required, an increase in overtime and hours of work per week and higher patient‐to‐nurse ratios. The review also highlighted changes to the work environment and worsened work environments, including staffing shortages.ConclusionFocused efforts from health organizations to prioritize supportive conditions, policies focused on improved work environments, staffing adequacy and fair and reasonable workloads will enhance retention of the current workforce and future planning for pandemics.ImpactUnderstanding workload challenges faced by frontline health professionals during the pandemic can improve planning, including policies and procedures, and resource allocation for future pandemic or emergency situations. In addition, extended periods of high workloads can impact staff retention. As many countries return to life after COVID‐19, it is important that healthcare organizations examine staff pressures and identify ways to support staff moving forward. This will be vital for the future sustainability of the workforce.Patient or Public ContributionNo patient or public contribution.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of pandemics on healthcare providers' workloads: A scoping review

Doleman

Leo

Bloxsome

2023

Journal of Advanced Nursing

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“…The current pandemic has had a heavy impact on the psychological, social, and economic impact on eye care professionals and hospitals. [ 19 20 ] In providing care for elective surgeries and clearing the backlog of surgeries that arouse due to lockdown, eye care facilities have been modified both structurally and functionally to provide safe service. [ 4 17 18 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 ] Apart from several general modifications in the clinical and surgical setting, a few major impactful modifications have been the use of teleconsultation services and immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery that minimizes post-operative visits.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Year one of COVID-19 pandemic: Effect of lockdown and unlock phases on cataract surgery at a multi-tier ophthalmology network

Das

Reddy

2021

Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

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Purpose: To describe the impact of lockdown and unlock phases of the COVID-19 pandemic on cataract surgery at a multitier ophthalmology network. Methods: This cross-sectional hospital-based study included 106,279 eyes operated between March 23, 2019 and March 31, 2021. The data of patients who underwent cataract surgery presenting during the lockdown and unlock phases were compared with the respective periods in the previous year before COVID-19. Results: The cataract surgeries performed decreased to 5.6% (839/14,994) of pre-COVID-19 volumes during the lockdown phase. There was a gradual recovery of the cataract surgeries performed to 86.7% of pre-COVID-19 volumes by May 2020 and exceeded by 17.9% by September 2020. There was a decrease in the number of women who underwent cataract surgery during the lockdown phase (49.11%) compared to the pre-COVID-19 (52.59%) or unlock phase (52.29%, P < 0.001). Patients operated during the lockdown phase were younger when compared to other groups ( P < 0.001). The mean LogMAR presenting visual acuity at the time of surgery was worse in patients operated during the lockdown phase (1.84 ± 1.16) as compared to pre-COVID-19 (1.39 ± 1.05) and unlock phases (1.51 ± 1.08, P =<0.001). The proportion of patients with total cataracts were higher during the lockdown and unlock phases compared to the pre-COVID-19 phase ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: The first year of the COVID-19 pandemic saw a drastic reduction in the surgical volume in the lockdown phase, which recovered quickly during the unlock period. Patients of younger age, male gender, poor presenting visual acuity, denser cataracts, and living close to the surgical center were able to access surgical care due to lockdown restrictions.

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“…It has adversely affected the clinical and surgical training of residents, continued medical training of doctors, financial loss to those in private practice, and a physically as well as mentally hostile work condition for those working in COVID-19 hospitals in the government setup. [ 9 11 12 13 14 ] In the current study, we assessed the ophthalmic practice pattern among ophthalmologists in India during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ophthalmology practice was one of the worst-hit medical fields, as a majority of cases require treatment for elective conditions. [ 5 9 ] This was detrimental for both the ophthalmologists as well as the patients suffering from various ophthalmic conditions. Various ophthalmologists suffered major financial loss during this era due to the altered clinical practice.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Ophthalmology practice during COVID-19 pandemic: A survey of Indian ophthalmologists

Sahay

Sharma

Sinha

et al. 2021

Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

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Purpose: To assess the ophthalmic practice pattern among ophthalmologists in India amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An online questionnaire-based analysis was performed among members of the All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) and results were analyzed using SPSS software version 20. Results: A total of 2253 responses were received. The majority of the participants (72.6%) were between 30 and 60 years of age and were into private practice (64.7%). During the lockdown, over one-third of participant ophthalmologists reported not attending any OPD patients, whereas a majority (64%) provided only emergency ophthalmic services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, <15% surgeries were performed compared to the pre-COVID-19 era by 81% of participants, whereas elective surgeries were performed by only 4.3%. The proportion of participants utilizing telemedicine in ophthalmology showed a two-fold rise from the pre-COVID-19 era (21.9%) to the COVID-19 pandemic (46%). Over half of the participants reported following the AIOS guidelines, reducing clinic hours, use of screening questionnaires, minimizing staff, and use of breath shield on a slit lamp as precautionary measures to reduce the exposure. Over 95% of ophthalmologists were satisfied (score > 5/10) by the AIOS guidelines for ophthalmic practice during COVID-19. Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the ophthalmic care services across India with telemedicine emerging as a major rescue. The majority of practicing ophthalmologists are satisfied with guidelines provided by AIOS for ophthalmic care during the COVID-19 pandemic and have implemented the same in their setup.

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Post-lockdown challenges for ophthalmologists during COVID-19 pandemic in India

Cited by 7 publications

References 15 publications

The impact of pandemics on healthcare providers' workloads: A scoping review

The impact of pandemics on healthcare providers' workloads: A scoping review

Year one of COVID-19 pandemic: Effect of lockdown and unlock phases on cataract surgery at a multi-tier ophthalmology network

Ophthalmology practice during COVID-19 pandemic: A survey of Indian ophthalmologists

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