The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Orthopedic Practices in New York

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) crisis has strained hospitals and health systems across the world. In the United States, New York City has faced a surge of cases as the epicenter of the North American outbreak. Northwell Health, as the largest regional health system in New York City, has implemented various practices and policies to adapt to the evolving situation and prepare for future global events. [ Orthopedics . 2020;43(4):245–249.]

Impacto econômico e profissional da pandemia de COVID-19 e prevalência de depressão e ansiedade nos cirurgiões de ombro e cotovelo do Brasil

“…Orthopedic surgeons have suffered a reduction in their daily workload, with cancellation of elective surgeries and outpatient consultations, a reduction in the incidence of acute trauma worldwide due to the reduction in the circulation of people and displacements for non-ordinary clinical and/or administrative activities. 5 6 10 23 In our study, 9 out of 10 professionals claimed that surgical volume had worsened or greatly worsened within the shoulder and elbow specialty. The same proportion of professionals showed some reduction in the average surgical volume in the last year.…”

“…Only 20.2% increased their holdings. The change to online activities was a sudden and necessary reality for such activities to remain, 6 28 however, it seems that many professionals still have some limiting factor for their participation in this new format, including in the class of resident physicians in training. 29 …”

“…But its limitations led to the need for an additional year to complete the graduate course being considered, something that was never discussed in our country. 6 30 It is undeniable that the advent of the internet and its educational platforms that emerged and were rapidly improved in view of the situation experienced, were fundamental for the virtual relationship between students and teachers, allowing the maintenance of teaching safely. But the practical limitations imposed by the absence of hands-on surgical training were inevitable.…”

“…These epidemiological changes economically affected the institutions, professionals and teaching of the specialty. 4 5 6 7 8 Even though they are not part of the front line of the pandemic, orthopedic surgeons were seriously affected by the reduction in the workday, functional adaptation, virtual care and a reduction in the number of consultations and surgeries. 9 10 11 Unprecedented, this class witnessed the reduction of their earnings.…”

Impact of Covid-19 on the global orthopaedic research output

“…The reduction in inpatient as well as outpatient procedures (26) inevitably led to reduced feasibility of clinical trials. The work capacity released by reduced surgical procedures (4, 8, 9, 27) was often used to support care (28,29), and thus was not available for research to a large extent. The working group of Staniscuaski was also able to show that the pandemic significantly delayed even the submission of already completed work (30).…”