ABSTRACT
Objectives: Research, knowledge, and technological advances have promoted minimally invasive image-guided diagnostic and therapeutic intervention. Such interventions are increasingly performed for musculoskeletal diseases by radiologists within outpatient settings. The objective of this study was to ascertain levels of safe practice among musculoskeletal radiologists in the United Kingdom and the Indian public health-care system, as defined by access to spinal surgeons and anesthetists during radiological spinal procedures. Material and Methods: An online cross-sectional survey of eight questions (multiple choice and free text) was circulated among musculoskeletal radiologists in the UK and India, to evaluate: (i) Image-guided practice among musculoskeletal radiologists. (ii) Types of interventions undertaken. (iii) Practice setting. (iv) Availability of supportive, backup access to spinal surgery services. Results: A total of 53 replies were received of which 43 (81.1%) were from musculoskeletal radiologists who perform spinal interventional procedures. Spinal biopsies and injections were the most common procedures performed by the 43 eligible radiologists (79.1% and 74.4%, respectively), with vertebroplasty and sacroplasty performed by only 16.3% and 11.6%, respectively. Less than half (46.5%) of musculoskeletal radiologists performing interventional procedures did so within a hospital setting with both a spinal surgeon and an anesthetist on site, 20.9% had an anesthetist on site but no spinal surgeon and 16.3% had neither on-site. Conclusion: Minimally invasive image-guided diagnostic and therapeutic intervention is a niche sub-specialty practiced by a few musculoskeletal radiologists. Enhanced resource allocation, skills training, and multidisciplinary service provision will ultimately minimize existing deficiencies, improving patient-related clinical outcomes, and quality of care.
ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: The social lockdown measures imposed to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, have had profound effects on the healthcare systems across the world and India has been no exception to it. The study was aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on orthopaedic practice in India during the lockdown period and assess the preparedness of orthopaedic surgeons for resuming clinical practice after the initial lockdown was lifted. Materials and Methods: An online survey of 35 questions was conducted to evaluate impact on (i) general orthopaedic practice (ii) hospital protocols (iii) out-patient practice (iv) surgical practice (v) personal protective equipment (PPE) use and (vi) post-lockdown preparedness. Results: A total number of 588 practising orthopaedic surgeons from India completed the survey. Majority (88.3%) found severe impact (>50%) on trauma surgery and nontrauma surgery with significant reduction in out -patient attendance compared to corresponding time in 2019. There were significant changes made in individual hospital protocols (91.7 %). Appropriate required PPE was available in majority of the hospitals (74.3%). No remodelling or upgrading of the existing operating theatre infrastructure was done by most surgeons (89.5%). Conclusion: This pan India survey of orthopaedic surgeons has indicated that COVID-19 has had a profound impact on their outpatient and surgical trauma and non-trauma practice, due to the lockdown and resulted in significant changes to hospital protocols. Preparedness to resume clinical and surgical practice was associated with anxiety in two-thirds of the respondents. Majority of the orthopaedic practitioners felt that they would continue to conduct pre-operative COVID-19 screening and use PPE even after the lockdown is over.