ABSTRACT
Objective The spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has created an opportunity to re-evaluate and refine existing models of healthcare delivery for patients receiving dialysis at home. This study aims to explore the experiences of home dialysis nurses during the pandemic. Methods This was an observational study via survey. Participants were recruited through the home dialysis nursing networks in Australia and the province of Ontario, Canada. Results A total of 45 nurses responded to the survey, 53% (n=24) from Australia and 47% (n=21) from Ontario, Canada. The nurses identified that most units had moved to 'virtual' patient visits, only seeing those patients with urgent issues in person. They also reported problems with delivery of supplies for patients, implementation of social distancing during training, difficulties for patients with navigation of telehealth platforms for `virtual' clinic visits, and staffing shortages with staff needing to stay home with any suspected COVID-19 symptoms or contact. The nurses perceived that being flexible in their roles and working hours were helpful during the pandemic, while being ready to adapt at short notice was also important. Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients receiving home dialysis have benefited from fewer healthcare facility visits and a greater ability to adhere to social distancing measures, thus limiting exposure to COVID-19 infection. Yet, patients may face challenges relating to delay or back order of dialysis supplies and social isolation, and may struggle with telehealth platforms. Our learning experience from this pandemic will help us identify the challenges encountered and measures taken to address them.
ABSTRACT
Since a long period of time, the academia and policy makers have tried to understand and explain the drivers of growth of China and India, the emerging economic powers and the fastest growing economies of the world before the onset of Covid pandemic. These two Asian giants are also the most populated and the youngest (in terms of share of young population) nations of the world. Although, both the countries enjoyed the demographic opportunity but why is the China's economic performance significantly ahead than of India? Against this backdrop, the paper attempts to link demographic advantage in terms of high working-age population with economic growth taking the evidences from India and China. The study uses the data from the World Bank Database and applies time series econometrics and population pyramid technique to test the arguments. The study finds that the impact of population policy on demographic indicators was not that perceptible in the case of India and it has not been able to take advantage of its demographic advantage. It should replicate the important lessons learned from its counterpart i.e. China and should make adequate investments in health, education and especially in skill creation.