The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with medical complexity (preprint)

Background Descriptions of the COVID-19 pandemics indirect consequences on children are emerging. We aimed to describe the impacts of the pandemic on children with medical complexity (CMC) and their families. Methods A one-time survey of Canadian paediatricians using the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program (CPSP) was conducted in Spring 2021. Results A total of 784 paediatricians responded to the survey, with 70% (n=540) providing care to CMC. Sixty-seven (12.4%) reported an adverse health outcome due to a COVID-19 pandemic-related disruption in healthcare delivery. Disruption of the supply of medication and equipment was reported by 11.9% of respondents (n=64). Respondents reported an interruption in family caregiving (47.5%, n=252) and homecare delivery (40.8%, n=218). Almost 47% of respondents (n=253) observed a benefit to CMC due to COVID-19 related changes in healthcare delivery, including increased availability of virtual care and reduction in respiratory illness. Some (14.4%) reported that CMC were excluded from in-person learning when their peers without medical complexity were not. Conclusion Canadian paediatricians reported that CMC experienced adverse health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic, including disruptions to family caregiving and community supports. These results highlight the need for healthcare, community and education policymakers to collaborate with families to optimize their health.

Disruptions in Care: Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Children's Hospital (preprint)

Background Public health restrictions are an essential strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19; however, unintended consequences of these interventions may have led to significant delays, deferrals and disruptions in medical care. This study explores clinical cases where the care of children was perceived to have been negatively impacted as a result of public health measures and changes in healthcare delivery and access due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This study used a qualitative multiple case study design with descriptive thematic analysis of clinician-reported consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on care provided at a childrens hospital. A quantitative analysis of overall hospital activity data during the study period was performed. Results The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant change to hospital activity at our tertiary care hospital, including an initial reduction in Emergency Department attendance by 38% and an increase in ambulatory virtual care from 4% before COVID-19, to 67% in August, 2020. Two hundred and twelve clinicians reported a total of 116 unique cases. Themes including (1) timeliness of care, (2) disruption of patient-centered care, (3) new pressures in the provision of safe and efficient care and (4) inequity in the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, each impacting patients, their families and healthcare providers. Conclusion Being aware of the breadth of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across all of the identified themes is important to enable the delivery of timely, safe, high-quality, family-centred pediatric care moving forward.