Monitoreo serológico y psicológico en personal de salud durante el comienzo de la pandemia COVID-19 / Serological and psychological monitoring of healthcare workers during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic

Introducción: el personal de salud (PdS) es esencial en la lucha contra el COVID-19. Al inicio de la pandemia, el riesgo de adquirir la enfermedad en este grupo era desconocido. Buscamos estimar incidencia y prevalencia de anticuerpos anti-SARS-CoV-2, y prevalencia de burnout en una cohorte de PdS durante la pandemia COVID-19, así como valorar la prevalencia de burnout y depresión en la cohorte. Materiales y métodos: cohorte prospectiva conformada por médicos que atendían pacientes COVID-19 desde marzo de 2020 hasta enero de 2021, en un hospital de alta complejidad de la ciudad de Buenos Aires. Se evaluó IgM e IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 quincenalmente durante 3 meses, así como la presencia de síntomas compatibles y factores asociados a la exposición. Se remitió a participantes con alteraciones de la esfera psíquica a contacto con el equipo de salud mental del hospital. Resultados: se incluyeron 52 participantes; de ellos, 31 eran mujeres; mediana de edad 32 años (rango 25-58). La mediana de horas semanales de trabajo autoinformadas fue 48 (IIC [intervalo intercuartil] 40-69,5). Inicialmente todos fueron PCR SARS-CoV-2 negativos en hisopado nasal; 11 (21,50% IC 95%; 9,62-32,53%) tuvieron COVID-19 sintomático con anticuerpos positivos. Los factores con mayor asociación a riesgo de COVID-19 fueron anosmia/disgeusia OR 403,33 (IC 95%; 47,60-3417,02), fiebre OR 172,53 (IC 95%; 28,82-1032,65), mialgias OR 41,97 (IC 95%; 8,08-217,84), conviviente con COVID-19 OR 28,17 (IC 95%; 5,67-179,97). Cerca del 40% presentaba alteraciones en las escalas de medición de burnout o depresión. Discusión: la incidencia hallada coincide con las cifras informadas acerca de personal de salud en la etapa inicial de la pandemia en la Argentina. Otro aspecto similar fue una mayoría de infecciones de curso leve, sin ningún paciente hospitalizado. No obstante, se halló una elevada incidencia de alteraciones de la esfera psíquica, tanto al comienzo como al final del seguimiento. Conclusiones: la incidencia de positivización de anticuerpos anti-SARS-CoV-2 fue cercana al 20%. No evidenciamos infecciones presintomáticas o asintomáticas. En cambio, la prevalencia de burnout y depresión fue elevada. La salud mental es un componente del personal de salud que debe ser priorizado en situaciones futuras de impacto similar. (AU)

Introduction: healthcare personnel are essential in the response against COVID-19. At the beginning of the pandemic the risk of acquiring the disease in this group was unknown. We sought to estimate incidence and prevalence of anti SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, as well as burnout prevalence in a cohort of healthcare staff during the pandemic, as well as assessing the prevalence of burnout and depression in this group. Materials and methods: prospective cohort formed by physicians tending to COVID-19 patients from march 2020 to january 2021 in a high-complexity hospital in the city of Buenos Aires. We evaluated anti SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG each 15 days for 3 months as well as the presence of compatible symptoms and factors associated to exposition to the virus. Patients showing signs of burnout and/or depression were referred to proper care by the mental health team in the hospital. Results: we included 52 patients, 31 women, median age was 32 years (range 25 - 58). Median amount of self-reported hours worked each week was 48 (IQR 40 - 69.5). Initially all participants had a negative COVID-19 PCR nasopharyngeal swab; 11 (21.50% CI95% 9.62 - 32.53%) had symptomatic COVID-19 with positive antibodies. Factors showing stronger association with testing positive were anosmia/dysgeusia OR 403.33 (CI95% 47.60-3417.02), fever OR 172.53 (CI95% 28.82 - 1032.65), myalgia OR 41.97 (CI95% 8.08 - 217.84), cohabitation with confirmed COVID-19 case OR 28.17 (CI95% 5.67 - 179.97). Near 40% showed alterations in burnout or depression scales. Discussion: the incidence rate we found was like reported values in the initial stages of the pandemic in Argentina. Another similarity was that all cases were mild; no hospitalization was required for any participant. We found an elevated incidence of alterations in the psychic sphere, both at the beginning and end of the follow up period. Conclusions:the incidence of positive SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was around 20%. No pre or asymptomatic cases were identified. Burnout and depression incidence was high. Mental health is a component that should never be overlooked in similar situations to come. (AU)

Perfil socioprofissional dos médicos atuantes em serviços hospitalares / Social and professional profile of physicians working in hospitals

Objetivo: Determinar o perfil socioprofissional dos médicos que atuam em serviços hospitalares de urgência e emergência. Métodos: Realizou-se uma pesquisa descritiva com delineamento transversal. Foram avaliadas as informações de 60 médicos que atuavam em três hospitais com serviços de urgência e emergência do município de Imperatriz (MA), no período de janeiro a março de 2018. Para coleta de dados, utilizou-se um questionário autoaplicável contendo 18 questões. Resultados: Dos 60 participantes, 70% eram do sexo masculino, e 53,3% não ingressaram em programas de Residência Médica. A média de idade dos profissionais foi de 37 anos, enquanto a média do tempo de atuação no setor de urgência e emergência foi de 11 anos. Dos participantes, 85% referiram ter realizado cursos complementares voltados para a área da emergência. Os cursos mais citados foram o Advanced Cardiac Life Support (39,3%) e o Advanced Trauma Life Support (38,1%). Conclusão: Os perfis dos médicos foram de jovens, com predominância do sexo masculino e com pouco tempo de experiência profissional em atuação no setor de urgência e emergência. Identificou-se grande adesão aos cursos complementares na área de emergência e de educação continuada. Entretanto, apenas uma minoria dos participantes possuía especialidade e pós-graduação stricto e lato sensu.

Objective: To establish the social and professional profile of physicians working in emergency hospital services. Methods: A descriptive study with cross-sectional design was carried out. The information of 60 physicians working in hospitals with emergency services in the municipality of Imperatriz, MA, from January to March 2018 was assessed. A self-administered questionnaire with 18 questions was applied for data collection. Results: Of the 60 participants, 70% were men and 53.3% did not enroll in Medical Residency Programs. The physicians' mean age was 37 years, while the mean time of work in the emergency department was 11 years. Of the participants, 85% declared taking complementary courses on the emergency area. The most cited courses were Advanced Cardiac Life Support (39.3%) and Advanced Trauma Life Support (38.1%). Conclusion: The physicians' profiles were being young, a predominance of men, and little experience in on the emergency area. There was high adhesion to complementary courses in the area of emergency and of Continuing Education. However only a minority of participants had a graduate certificate or a graduate degree.

Current status and directions of resident education

A resident is a preliminary specialist with a medical license. It is also the status of an employee at a training hospital who is trained by clinical faculty. This duality makes the role of a resident unique, because its interpretation differs dramatically depending on whether one focuses on a resident's status as a trainee or as an employee. Issues regarding patient safety have emerged as residents have come to emphasize their role as employees in discussions of how to balance their work duties with their learning responsibilities. The workload that was taken for granted is no longer considered natural. Two years have elapsed since the enactment of the resident law, which was passed to improve the training environment and working conditions of residents, and limits them to 80 hours of work per week. However, confusion persists in the field. In order to solve problems regarding resident education, new education program with hospitalists and the financial and administrative support from hospitals and the government are important.

Korean hospitalist system implementation and development strategies based on pilot studies

The Korean hospitalist system was introduced in 2016. The new inpatient care system that provides direct care from a specialist required great efforts from various parties to implement successfully. This study outlines the implementation of the Korean hospitalist system and the development strategies based on pilot studies. The definition of the Korean hospitalist includes two elements which are 1) hospitalist is a physician who is in charge of a patient from admission to discharge and 2) hospitalist should stay in the hospitalist ward, where a hospitalist provides medical services to patients at their point of needs. The purpose of the Korean hospitalist system is to provide high-quality care and to ensure the safety of admitted patients. Due to a gap in the healthcare workforces in hospitals caused by changes in the residents' working hours and training period of the residents, the implementation of a new system was inevitable to provide care for patients. The result of private and public pilot studies indicated that hospitals, physicians, and patients are keen to have the hospitalist system in place. Also, those stakeholders agreed that reasonable and accurate fee-schedules for hospitalist services would enhance the service system. Within the current system, hospitals are reimbursed for providing the service, while patients pay out-of-pocket. Therefore, the service can only be applied to a patient who agrees to pay the additional fee for the service. As the Korean medical system is facing a paradigm shift, the Korean hospitalist system will play an essential role in the transition as moving forward to provide professional care for inpatients.

Current status and future of internal medicine hospitalist in Korea

A hospitalist system was introduced in Korea in September in 2016 to improve the quality of in-patient care and to cope with the shortage of medical residents. This study aimed to outline the current situation of internal medicine hospitalist and to suggest a development strategy. By May 2019, the number of hospitalists in Korea had increased to 124. Patient safety issues, resident law, and the shortage of medical residents has led to an increase in the demand for hospitalists in Korea. Internal medicine hospitalist care in Korea has been associated with patient satisfaction, length of stay, and waiting time in emergency departments. There are three different hospitalist ward models in the Korean health care system, and each hospital needs the model that fits its specific situation. In the general ward model, the role of the hospitalist is similar to that of the chief residents because the wards are categorized into nine subspecialty areas, such as internal medicine (including gastroenterology, pulmonology, and cardiology). In the short-term admission ward model, patients are usually turned around within 72 hours; therefore, the hospitalist is able to care for patients independently. After that, patients are discharged or admitted to a specialty ward. In integrated care model, patients from all specialty areas are admitted to the same ward; therefore, hospitalists care for patients independently. In this model, consultation with specialists is required. There were strengths and weaknesses in each model. Therefore, the models should be considered based on the hospital's function. This study found some problems in the present hospitalist system, including undefined roles and responsibilities, unclear future employment prospects, burnout due to patient' severity of illness, and inadequate payment systems for weekend and night work. To further develop the hospitalists system in Korea, the Korean government, the Korean associated of internal medicine, hospitals, and hospitalists must work together to solve the present problems.

Present and future of surgicalist system in Korea

As the need for medical services increases, interest in the quality improvement of healthcare and patient safety is also increasing. This study aimed to propose a surgical hospitalist or surgicalist system in Korea. Specifically, it has been suggested that the essential capacities of the surgicalist, including their understanding of surgery, wound management, emergency management, surgical nutrition, and education, may be useful in improving the quality of healthcare and patient safety. The key characteristic of the surgicalist system is that surgeons are “readily available” in the hospital ward to provide primary care for hospitalized patients. Surgicalists provide both perioperative and advanced primary care. As the population ages, the number of high-risk patients who are undergoing major operations increases. The surgicalist system, which is responsible for the perioperative management and advanced primary care of inpatients, is expected to expand rapidly. The shift from the vertical surgeon-resident-centered system to the horizontal surgeon-surgicalist-centered system can help provide high-quality care for patients, and a systematic training system for residents. In addition, it is necessary to define the essential capacities of the surgicalist, and to determine the research and education that can promote them.

Development of the role of teaching hospitalists in the education of residents

Resident law was enacted to improve the training environment and working conditions. However, the law caused confusion in the field and resulted in a medical vacuum in inpatient care. It also resulted in a lack of training time. A hospitalist system was introduced to improve the quality of patient care and to cover the shortage of residents. This study aimed to outline a development strategy for hospitalists participation in resident education in Korea. The result of pilot study of the hospitalists in Korea showed that patients, nurses, and residents were satisfied with hospitalists. Eighty-five percent of surgical residents were helped in postoperative patient care and 70.7% of residents were willing to work with a hospitalist. The competency of surgical hospitalists includes understanding surgery and the appropriate management of postoperative complications. In order to shift the paradigm of resident education, the Korean government must pay the expenses for resident training. Through hospitalists' participation in the resident training, it may be possible to provide residents with more comprehensive and continuous education for inpatient care.

Introduction of Hospitalists and Their Role in Gastroenterology / 대한소화기병학회잡지

A hospitalist system in Korea began in August 2016. Patient safety issues, resident law, and reduction of resident numbers in Korea are leading to an increase in the demand for hospitalist in Korea. The roles and responsibilities of GI hospitalists have not been established. Therefore, cooperation among the Korean society of gastroenterology, each hospital, and government is necessary. In particular, it is important to prepare an education program for gastroenterology hospitalists.

Introduction of Hospitalists and Their Role in Gastroenterology / 대한소화기학회지

A hospitalist system in Korea began in August 2016. Patient safety issues, resident law, and reduction of resident numbers in Korea are leading to an increase in the demand for hospitalist in Korea. The roles and responsibilities of GI hospitalists have not been established. Therefore, cooperation among the Korean society of gastroenterology, each hospital, and government is necessary. In particular, it is important to prepare an education program for gastroenterology hospitalists.

The Impact of Hospitalist Care in Korea

No abstract available.

Evaluating the Outcome of Multi-Morbid Patients Cared for by Hospitalists: a Report of Integrated Medical Model in Korea

BACKGROUND: The lack of medical personnel has led to the employment of hospitalists in Korean hospitals to provide high-quality medical care. However, whether hospitalists' care can improve patients' outcomes remains unclear. We aimed to analyze the outcome in patients cared for by hospitalists. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted in 1,015 patients diagnosed with pneumonia or urinary tract infection from March 2017 to July 2018. After excluding 306 patients, 709 in the general ward who were admitted via the emergency department were enrolled, including 169 and 540 who were cared for by hospitalists (HGs) and non-hospitalists (NHGs), respectively. We compared the length of hospital stay (LOS), in-hospital mortality, readmission rate, comorbidity, and disease severity between the two groups. Comorbidities were analyzed using Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). RESULTS: HG LOS (median, interquartile range [IQR], 8 [5–12] days) was lower than NHG LOS (median [IQR], 10 [7–15] days), (P < 0.001). Of the 30 (4.2%) patients who died during their hospital stay, a lower percentage of HG patients (2.4%) than that of NHG patients (4.8%) died, but the difference between the two groups was not significant (P = 0.170). In a subgroup analysis, HG LOS was shorter than NHG LOS (median [IQR], 8 [5–12] vs. 10 [7–16] days, respectively, P < 0.001) with CCI of ≥ 5 points. CONCLUSION: Hospitalist care can improve the LOS of patients, especially those with multiple comorbidities. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the impact of hospitalist care in Korea.

An Acute Medical Unit in a Korean Tertiary Care Hospital Reduces the Length of Stay and Waiting Time in the Emergency Department

A hospitalist-run acute medical unit (AMU) opened at a tertiary care hospital on August 2015 for the first time in Korea. Patients visiting the emergency department (ED) with acute medical problems are admitted to the AMU. They stay in that unit for less than 72 hours and are discharged or transferred to specialty wards if longer treatment is necessary. We reviewed 19,450 medical admissions through the ED from January 2014 to September 2016. The median length of stay (LOS) significantly decreased from 10.0 days (interquartile range [IQR], 5.5–16.7) to 9.1 days (IQR, 5.1–15.0) (P < 0.001) after the establishment of the AMU. The median waiting time in the ED significantly shortened by 40% (P < 0.001). Future studies on the impact of AMU on in-patient morbidity, mortality, re-admission rate, and patient or staff satisfaction are necessary.

"Entre vidas e mortes, entre máscaras e fugas": um estudo sobre a prática médica hospitalar / "Between lives and deaths, between masks and escapes": a study on hospital medical practice

Resumo Nas sociedades complexas, confere-se aos médicos um saber sobre-humano que desafia a morte e a contesta como parte da vida. Nos serviços de urgência e emergência, diversos profissionais atuam diuturnamente e de modo muito próximo com a vida e com a morte. Este artigo analisa a prática médica ocidental a partir de um trabalho etnográfico realizado junto a médicos que trabalham num serviço de urgência e emergência de uma grande cidade. Buscou-se compreender a forma como esses médicos, enquanto indivíduos, sujeitos e profissionais lidam com a vida e com a morte em sua práxis. A análise dos dados apontou para relações éticas, institucionais, culturais e idiossincráticas na atuação médica diante da(s) vida(s) e da(s) morte(s) das pessoas assistidas.

Abstract The complex societies attribute to the physicians a superhuman knowledge that defies death and refuse to recognize death as part of life. In urgency and emergency services, several professionals work daily and nightly close to life and death. This article analyzes the Western medical practice, based on an ethnographic study conducted with medical professionals who work in a big city emergency and urgency health service. We aimed to understand how these doctors, as individuals, subjects and professionals, deal with life and death in professional praxis. Data analysis pointed to ethical, institutional, cultural and idiosyncratic relations in medical action facing the life(ves) and death(s) of the assisted people.

Operating the hospitalist system

Recent changes in the Korean government's strategies for resident quotas and training condition results is creating a gap in the treatment of inpatients and threatening patient safety. The hospitalist system, which has been established and operates in the United States, has also been suggested as an alternative in Korea. In 2015, a pilot project for the implementation of a hospitalist system was successfully executed in three teaching hospitals. The most important factors for the successful implementation of a hospitalist system are to establish the job description and security of the hospitalist. In addition, securing finances and making medical insurance fee-for-service, a certification system for hospitalists, an education program, and proper salaries are needed. The introduction and management of a hospitalist system may be seen as necessary for the times, considering changing resident strategies and the reinforcement of responsibility for patient safety. The hospitalist system is a solution for the gap in the treatment of inpatients and is predicted to improve patient safety.

Launching the Hospitalist in Korea / 대한내과학회지

No abstract available.

Conocimiento de médicos de 2 hospitales peruanos sobre la relación entre enfermedad periodontal y alteraciones sistémicas / Knowledge of physicians, from 2 peruvian hospitals on the relationship between periodontal and systemic diseases

Objetivo: Determinar el nivel de conocimiento sobre la enfermedad periodontal y su relación con la diabetes mellitus, la gestación y las enfermedades cardiovasculares, en médicos de 2 hospitales peruanos. Material y método El presente estudio, transversal y descriptivo, se desarrolló entre abril y mayo de 2014 e incluyó un total de 77 médicos, 39 del Hospital Belén de Trujillo y 38 del Víctor Lazarte Echegaray (Trujillo, Perú), a quienes se les aplicó un cuestionario, sometido previamente a validación por expertos y análisis de confiabilidad (Alfa de Cronbach = 0,605). Resultados El nivel de conocimiento sobre la enfermedad periodontal y su relación con la diabetes mellitus, la gestación y las enfermedades cardiovasculares fue bueno en un 57,1 por ciento y regular en un 41,6 por ciento de los médicos evaluados. No se encontraron diferencias con respecto a la especialidad médica (p = 0,348) ni al tiempo de ejercicio profesional (p = 0,403). Conclusión Los resultados permiten concluir que el nivel de conocimiento sobre la enfermedad periodontal y su relación con la diabetes mellitus, la gestación y las enfermedades cardiovasculares fue bueno en el 57,1 por ciento de los médicos de los hospitales Belén y Víctor Lazarte Echegaray de Trujillo, Perú, 2014.

Objective: To determine the level of knowledge of physicians from two Peruvian hospitals on the relationship between periodontal and systemic diseases. Methods This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted between April and May 2014 and included a total of 77 physicians, 39 from Hospital Belen de Trujillo and 38 from Hospital Victor Lazarte Echegaray (Trujillo, Peru). They were given a questionnaire that was previously submitted for validation by experts and reliability analysis (Cronbach's alpha = 0.605). Results The level of knowledge on periodontal disease and its relationship with diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and pregnancy was good in 57.1 percent and moderate in 41.6 percent of physicians who responded. No differences were found as regards medical specialty (P = .348) or professional experience (P = .403). Conclusion The results suggest that the level of knowledge on periodontal disease and its relationship with diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and pregnancy was good in 57.1 percent of physicians from Victor Lazarte Echegaray and Belen hospitals in Trujillo, Peru, in 2014.

Trends of US Hospitalist and Suggestions for Introduction of Korean Hospitalist / 대한내과학회지

A gap in the number of physicians caring for inpatients is expected in 2014 based on the restricted working hours for Korean medical residents. One potential solution is the use of hospitalists. The US hospitalist movement has proliferated due to high-quality care and economics. This movement has brought positive changes including a shorter length of hospital stay, increased quality of care, and greater patient satisfaction. Because the Korean government controls all suppliers and maintains a low financial compensation level for universal coverage, hospitals do not have the financial resources to introduce hospitalists. Therefore, in contrast to the US, the use of hospitalists must be developed as a cost-compensated system in Korea. Institutional strategies must be introduced to develop a hospitalist system in Korea. A hospitalist system in Korea would be distinct from that in the US. Further studies and specific strategies are needed that consider Korea's circumstances to effectively introduce a hospitalist system.