The Australian response to the COVID-19 pandemic and diabetes – Lessons learned

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the economy and health system of most countries in the world and this is also true of Australia. Australia has not seen the huge surge of COVID-19 positive cases and subsequent hospitalisations and deaths experienced in other parts of the world. However there have been important social and health strategies to ''flatten" the curve, to reduce infections and to manage those infected. These have included closure of international and interstate borders, local lockdown measures, physical distancing, shift to work from home, closure of non-essential businesses and full or partial closure of all schools and tertiary education facilities. From the diabetes care perspective, there was a significant and concerted diversion of hospital resources and staff to COVID-19 specific activities. Reduced access to primary care, diagnostic and hospital services for diabetes, combined with fear of exposure to the virus in these settings, led to a significant drop in access to usual diabetes care. Provision of outpatient and private sector diabetes services via telehealth was encouraged and supported by expanded and new government subsidies. Importantly, for the first time, there was government funded subsidy for care delivered via the telephone and inclusion of credentialled diabetes educators in funded telephone/telehealth support. The Australian health professional and consumer organisations worked cooperatively producing guidelines, position statements and other educational resources specific for the COVID-19 setting. Once the COVID-19 pandemic is over, review of all the changes will be important, determining which should be permanently implemented. The learnings from COVID-19 should help prepare Australia for future pandemics or other major health crises.

Diabetes and COVID-19: IDF perspective in the Western Pacific region

“…This was followed by a lag phase with a doubling of positive cases approximately every 7-10 days. However, by March 21st 2020, when COVID-19 positive cases in Australia exceeded 1000 with 7 deaths, Australia was clearly on the exponential part of the curve [6]. With introduced measures the number of new cases has substantially reduced since mid-April.…”

“…Health personnel availability and support -The provision of inpatient diabetes education and medical review by telephone where possible for patients admitted with COVID-19 to reduce exposure to essential diabetes staff [6,8].…”

“…More recently, the Australian Government released a COVIDSafe tracing mobile phone app and has encouraged all Australians to download this app and linked this to relaxation of social distancing and shutdown measures. Interestingly, there were some reports that this app may have interfered with some diabetes apps and interstitial fluid glucose monitoring devices [6].…”

“…To prevent stock-piling of diabetes supplies dispensing of medications and supplies was limited to the usual 1-month supply at a time and pharmacists were allowed to remain open during the pandemic, unlike many other businesses. Furthermore, if people or their representatives were unable to get to a pharmacy postal delivery of their medicines was made possible [6].…”

“…Feedback from people with diabetes and health professionals has been positive and supportive of the proactive approach to this unprecedented pandemic. Australian healthcare professionals and researchers are also proactive in proposing and participating in national and international COVID-19 related research [6,8].…”