Orthopaedic Practices and Surgeries during COVID-19 in Pakistan - A Survey Based Study
https://doi.org/10.5704/MOJ.2103.011
- Author:
Saad-Ilyas M
1
,
2
;
Zehra U
3
;
Khan UU
4
;
Mohammad I
5
;
Muhammad R
6
;
Aziz A
1
,
2
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopaedics &
2. Spine Surgery, Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
3. Department of Anatomy, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
4. Department of Orthopaedic, Kabir Medical College, Peshawar, Pakistan
5. Trauma Centre, Makhdoom Aali, Tehsil Dunyapur, Pakistan
6. Department of Orthopaedics, Chandka Medical College, Larkana, Pakistan
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
COVID-19, coronavirus, orthopaedics, safety measures, pandemic
- From:Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal
2021;15(No.1):72-78
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: The study aimed to target the current practices
of the orthopaedic community in outpatient (OPD),
emergency (ER) and surgical services (OT) during COVID19.
Material and method: This study surveyed 303 orthopaedic
surgeons from all over Pakistan. The survey had 30 questions
targeting the setup of outpatient, emergency and operation
services in orthopaedic departments of different hospitals in
Pakistan.
Result: A total of 302 surgeons were included from 53 cities
all over Pakistan. Between 35-48% of the respondents
reported lack of availability of standard operating procedures
in OPD, ER and in OT. Majority of the respondents noted
that their OPD and surgical practice had been affected to
some degree and 69% of the surgeons were only doing
trauma surgery. This trend was higher in younger consultants
of less than 45 years of age (p<0.001). Almost two-third of
the surgeons, mostly senior (p=0.03) were using surgical
masks as the only protective measure during various
practices of OPD, ER and OT, while most of the setups were
not assessing patients even for signs and symptoms of
COVID. Almost 89% of the orthopaedic community is
facing definite to mild stress during this pandemic and this
has significantly affected the senior surgeons (p=0.01).
Conclusion: Our study highlighted that COVID-19 has
resulted in marked changes to the practices of the majority of
Pakistani orthopaedic surgeons. Despite a sharp upsurge in
the number of cases and mortality due to COVID-19,
guidelines were still lacking at most of the settings and a
substantial percentage of the orthopaedic community were
not following adequate safety measures while attending to
patients.
- Full text:16.2021my1151.pdf
