Protocol for a winter sentinel surveillance program of notifiable respiratory viruses in Queensland.

BACKGROUND: With the reduction in access to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and changes in testing guidelines in Australia, a reduced number of people are seeking testing for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), limiting the opportunity to monitor disease transmission. Knowledge of community transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses is essential to better predict subsequent surges in cases during the pandemic to alert health services, protect vulnerable populations and enhance public health measures. We describe a methodology for a testing-based sentinel surveillance program to monitor disease in the community for early signal detection of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses. METHODS/DESIGN: A longitudinal active testing-based sentinel surveillance program for respiratory viruses (including SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, influenza B and Respiratory Syncytial Virus) will be implemented in some regions of Queensland. Adults will be eligible for enrolment if they are part of specific community groups at increased risk of exposure and have not had a COVID-19 infection in the last 13 weeks. Recruitment via workplaces will occur in-person, via email and through online advertisement. Asymptomatic participants will be tested via PCR for SARS-CoV-2 infection by weekly self-collected nasal swabs. In addition, symptomatic participants will be asked to seek SARS-CoV-2 and additional respiratory virus PCR testing at nominated COVID-19 testing sites. SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory virus prevalence data will be analysed weekly and at the end of the study period. DISCUSSION: Once implemented, this surveillance program will determine the weekly prevalence of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses in the broader community by testing a representative sample of adults, with an aim to detect early changes in the baseline positivity rate. This information is essential to define the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in the community in near-real time to inform public health control measures and prepare health services and other stakeholders for a rise in service demand.

Comparing medical student experience of face-to-face and remote access consultations during the coronavirus pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, outpatient consultations in National Health Service Lanarkshire were conducted using various forms of teleconsultation. A qualitative study was undertaken to ascertain how senior medical students valued the experience of outpatient teleconsultations in comparison to face-to-face consultations during the pandemic. METHODS: Anonymised, voluntary surveys were emailed to all medical students who attended clinical placements in specialties utilising teleconsultations. Participants were asked to compare their experience of and perceived value of virtual consultants to face-to-face consultations. Thematic and statistical analysis was performed on the collected data. RESULTS: Participants unanimously agreed face-to-face consultations enabled learning, with 71.4% (n = 7) having similar experiences in video consultations if a senior was physically present beside them. Video consultation, when the senior clinician was also present virtually, was deemed useful to a lesser extent (66.7%, n = 6). Only half (57.1%, n = 14) valued the learning from telephone consultations. Qualitative analysis revealed that although face to face was the preferred consultation style, there was useful learning gained in all modalities. Students appreciated discussion with senior clinicians to facilitate learning and valued involvement in the consultation through history taking, especially in teleconsultations. DISCUSSION: Teleconsultation was an effective learning tool for medical students during the coronavirus pandemic, which preserved student exposure to patients during lockdown. This study is optimistic that widespread incorporation of teleconsultation, in all modality, has the ability to support students' clinical exposure and learning, which is becoming increasingly limited as medical student numbers continue to rise and with the ongoing effects of the pandemic.

Managing a Law Firm Research Service from Home: from ‘What's Zoom?’ to Trainee Induction Week from a Bedroom

In this article Ian Hunter considers his experiences, learning points and recommendations on running an international law firm research service from home for 6 months, after being sent home at one hour's notice. In the article he considers working from home, including the psychological benefits of having a ‘journey’ to work, providing a research service and a library service, managing a team and the use of communications technology.