Toward better preparedness for the next pandemic

Area of Science:

• Medicine
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• New York City was a major COVID-19 epicenter in the US.
• Health care workers faced high COVID-19 infection risks.
• The impact on resident physicians was not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To survey resident physicians about their COVID-19 exposure during the pandemic's exponential phase.
• To assess the protective role of personal protective equipment (PPE) and COVID-19 testing for health care workers.
• To inform preparedness for future epidemic surges.

Main Methods:

• Survey of resident physicians in New York City.
• Assessment of personal protective equipment availability and use.
• Analysis of COVID-19 testing accessibility and impact on infection rates.

Main Results:

• The study details resident physician exposure to COVID-19 during the initial wave.
• Findings indicate the effectiveness of PPE and testing in mitigating risk.
• Resident physician experiences during the first wave are highlighted.

Conclusions:

• Resident physicians experienced significant COVID-19 exposure.
• Personal protective equipment and testing are vital for health care worker safety.
• Study findings can guide preparedness for future epidemics and COVID-19 surges.