Design and evaluation of an online course to transfer suspected cases of COVID-19 from pharmacies-drugstores in Colombia

Introduction: it is needing to design, implement and evaluate the acceptance, relevance, and usability of an online course aimed at promoting the detection and referral of suspected cases of COVID-19 from pharmacies-drugstores. Method: the design of the course was based on a proposed route for the care of users suspected of COVID-19 attending pharmacies, complemented by information obtained through a search in PubMed/Medline and on Websites of leading organizations in the field. The information was structured in an online course, a formulary was developed and applied to assess the coverage, acceptability, and relevance of the course. Results: an online course (How do we act against COVID-19 from the drugstores?) was designed and organized in 7 units and with key concepts to identify and refer suspected cases of COVID-19 from pharmacies-drugstores, available in https://udearroba.udea.edu.co/externos/my/. From April/2020 to April/2021, 863 persons were registered, 382 (44.3%) finished and were sent the formulary for evaluation the course, which was returned by 240 (62.8%). In this group, the satisfaction with the course and education materials was 95.8% and 97.1%, respectively. Also, 97.9% people assert that the course contribute to identify and to refer suspected cases of COVID-19;and 93.3% that, the navigation through the course provides easy access of the contents. Conclusions: a virtual, open, and usable course is designed, implemented, and evaluated, and although the participants state that the course promoting the detection and referral of suspected cases of COVID-19, from pharmacies- drugstores, it is needing to conduct a study to assess this question. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR] Introducción: es necesario diseñar, implementar y evaluar la aceptación, pertinencia y usabilidad de un curso virtual orientado a favorecer la identificación y referenciación de casos sospechosos de COVID-19 desde farmacias- droguerías en Colombia. Método: el diseño del curso se fundamentó en una ruta propuesta para la atención de usuarios sospechosos de COVID- 19 que acuden a farmacias, complementada con información obtenida de una búsqueda en PubMed/Medline y en sitios Web de organizaciones referentes en el tema. La información se estructuró en un curso virtual, se elaboró y aplicó un instrumento para evaluar la cobertura, aceptabilidad y pertinencia del curso. Resultados: se diseñó el curso virtual ¿Cómo actuamos frente al COVID-19 desde las droguerías? organizado en 7 unidades con conceptos claves para identificar y referenciar casos sospechosos de COVID-19, desde farmacias-droguerías, disponible en https://udearroba.udea.edu.co/externos/my/. Entre abril/2020 y abril/2021 se registraron 863 personas, 382 (44,3%) finalizaron el curso y se les envió el instrumento de evaluación, y fue regresado por 240 (62,8%). En este grupo, la satisfacción con el curso y material didáctico fue del 95,8% y 97,1%, respectivamente. Además, el 97,9% manifestó que el curso contribuye a identificar y referenciar casos sospechosos de COVID-19;y el 93,3% que, el acceso y navegación por el curso, resultó sencillo. Conclusiones: se diseña, implementa y evalúa un curso virtual, abierto y usable, orientado a favorecer la identificación y referenciación de casos sospechosos de COVID-19, desde las farmacias-droguerías y, aunque los participantes declaran que contribuye con dicha finalidad, se requiere de un estudio diseñado para valorar esta aportación. (Spanish) [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Ars Pharmaceutica is the property of Facultad de Farmacia de Granada and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

COVID-19 in Colombia endpoints. Are we different, like Europe?

The infection by the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has taken the dimension of a pandemic, affecting more than 160 countries in a few weeks. In Colombia, despite the implementation of the rules established by the national government, exists an elevate concern both for mortality and for the limited capacity of the health system to respond effectively to the needs of patients infected. For Colombia, assuming a case fatality rate among people infected with SARS-CoV-2 of 0.6% (average data from the information reported for Latin American countries for March 18) (Table 1), the number of deaths, in one or two weeks, could be 16 and 243, respectively. These estimates differ markedly from those documented in countries such as Spain and Italy, in which COVID-19 case fatality rates exceed 8% (case of Italy) and from the percentage of patients who have required intensive care, which has ranged from 9% to 11% of patients in Mediterranean European countries. These differences could be explained due to: a) the percentage of the population at risk (individuals older than 60 years); b) a higher epidemiological exposure to viral respiratory infections associated with more frequent exposure to them, due to geographic and climatic conditions; c) less spread of the virus by location in the tropical zone; and d) earlier preventive measures to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, it is possible to establish that the situation in this country will be different from in European Mediterranean and that Colombia could have different endpoints from Spain and Italy.