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How the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting paediatric orthopaedic practice in Turkey
Sema Ertan Birsel1, İlker Abdullah Sarıkaya2, Ali Şeker3
1Atlas University, Istanbul Medicine Hospital, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Bağcılar, Istanbul, Turkey.
Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced paediatric orthopaedic outpatient visits and surgeries in Turkey. Most surgeons focused on emergency cases and lacked specific COVID-19 consent forms, highlighting the need for pandemic protocols.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated changes in clinical practices to mitigate infection risks.
- Paediatric orthopaedic care requires timely interventions to prevent long-term morbidity.
- Adapting management strategies is crucial for maintaining essential paediatric orthopaedic services during pandemics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric orthopaedic practice in Turkey.
- To describe the measures and management strategies adopted by Turkish paediatric orthopaedic surgeons.
- To assess the changes in clinical approaches during the pandemic.
Main Methods:
- A national survey was distributed to members of the Turkish Society of Children's Orthopedic Surgery (TSCOS).
- The survey consisted of 24 questions and was administered online.
- Data were collected via telephone contact and online survey tools.
Main Results:
- A 55% response rate was achieved with 54 participants.
- Significant reductions were reported: 62% experienced a 75% decrease in outpatient frequency, and 75% saw a 75% decrease in surgery frequency.
- 86% of surgeries were emergencies; no elective surgeries were performed. 61% lacked COVID-19-specific consent forms, and 96% desired a pandemic management algorithm.
Conclusions:
- The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected paediatric orthopaedic practice in Turkey.
- Practitioner responses and precautions varied significantly.
- There is a clear need to develop and implement standardized protocols based on pandemic experiences.
Purpose:
Changes to routine clinical approaches during the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are necessary to decrease the risk of infection in patients and healthcare providers. Because the treatment of many conditions is time sensitive, it is crucial to modify the management of paediatric orthopaedic cases by minimizing any subsequent morbidity. Our purpose was to describe the different measures and management strategies that have been applied by paediatric orthopaedic surgeons and to show how paediatric orthopaedic practice is affected in Turkey.
Methods:
All active practicing members of the Turkish Society of Children's Orthopedic Surgery (TSCOS) were contacted via telephone and asked to fill out a survey (24 questions). For participants, either an email or web link was sent to their mobile phones. An online survey generator was used.
Results:
A total of 54 survey responses were collected, for a response rate of 55%. In all, 62% reported a 75% decrease in their outpatient frequency, whilst 75% reported a 75% decrease in their surgery frequency. A total of 86% of the performed surgeries were emergency cases. None of the participants performed elective surgeries, and 61% did not have the consent form specific to COVID. Choice of protective measures have changed considerably; 96% stated that they needed an algorithm to follow for situations such as pandemic.
Conclusion:
This national survey revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental effect on paediatric orthopaedic practice and practitioner response varies in terms of reactions and precautions. The necessity of creating a protocol based on what we have learned must be taken into consideration.
Level Of Evidence:
V.
