Clinical Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Practices during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in Indonesia: An Online Nationwide Survey.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has necessitated modifications to allow the safe practice of clinical gastroenterology and gastrointestinal endoscopy. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of clinical gastroenterology and gastrointestinal endoscopy practices during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled physician members of the Indonesian Society for Digestive Endoscopy. We used an online self-administered questionnaire disseminated via social media. The 32-item survey determined the baseline characteristics of the participants, characteristics of clinical gastroenterology and gastrointestinal endoscopy practices, involvement of the physicians in the management of COVID-19, and overall impact of the pandemic on practice. All collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The 200 participants in this study had a median age of 50 (34-76) years. Modifications in clinical gastroenterology practice were frequently reported in the outpatient (95.5%) and inpatient (100%) settings. All participants reported changes in the gastrointestinal endoscopy practice patterns. Of the participants, 86.0% were working in high-risk zones, and several of them reported inadequate protective personal equipment (34.0%). The median overall impact score of the pandemic on practice was 9 (2-10). CONCLUSION: Physicians practicing clinical gastroenterology and gastrointestinal endoscopy in Indonesia work in high-risk settings. Modifications in clinical gastroenterology and gastrointestinal endoscopy practices are prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Clinical and Procedural Guideline for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Units during COVID-19 Pandemic Era.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared COVID-19 as global pandemic since there are tremendous growing numbers of confirmed cases for SARS-C0V-2 infection, the number of affected countries and high mortality rate. The global COVID-19 pandemic also will affect various aspects of health care including endoscopic service. The Indonesian Society for Digestive Endoscopy (ISDE), which provides a scope for doctors who perform endoscopic procedures, has developed a clinical and procedural guideline that may serve as a reference for doctors performing gastrointestinal endoscopy in Indonesia.