Perspectives of physicians in general and ophthalmologists in particular about restarting services post-COVID-19...

Area of Science:

• Medical Sciences
• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated widespread lockdowns, significantly disrupting elective medical services.
• Resuming outpatient (OP) and operating theatre (OT) services requires careful consideration of physician safety and patient well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the viewpoints of physicians, particularly ophthalmologists, regarding the restart of elective OP and OT services post-COVID-19 lockdown.
• To understand preferred safety protocols and timelines for service resumption.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was administered to 556 physicians, including 266 ophthalmologists, between April 16-18, 2020.
• The survey comprised 31 questions focusing on the timing and safety measures for restarting elective medical services.

Main Results:

• Approximately one-third of physicians desired to restart OP services immediately post-lockdown.
• Preferred personal protective equipment (PPE) varied, with N95 masks favored for doctors in OP settings.
• Ophthalmologists were more inclined than other specialists to resume services immediately.
• For OT services, a majority (76.9%) supported mandatory COVID-19 testing before elective surgeries.
• Opinions on PPE in OT were divided, with a significant portion favoring 3-ply masks for all or no additional PPE beyond standard surgical attire.

Conclusions:

• Physician opinions differ significantly on the timing and necessary precautions for resuming elective medical services.
• Ophthalmologists demonstrated a trend towards adopting less stringent safety measures when restarting services compared to other specialties.
• The findings highlight the need for clear guidelines and consensus on safety protocols for post-lockdown healthcare delivery.