ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused oncological services worldwide to face unprecedented challenges resulting in treatment disruption for surgical patients. Hepatopancreatico-biliary (HPB) cancers are characterised by rapid disease progression. This study aims to assess delays in receiving surgery for this patient cohort during the first COVID-19 wave. METHODS: Patients undergoing surgery between April and July 2020 (COVID period) were compared with a control group from the preceding year. Delay in receiving surgery was defined as more than 50 days between referral and surgery date. Statistical analysis was carried out to evaluate predictors of delay and short-term outcomes. RESULTS: During the COVID-19 and pre-COVID-19 periods, 94 and 115 patients underwent surgery, respectively. No patients contracted COVID-19 postoperatively. Some 118 patients waited more than 50 days for surgery versus 91 who received surgery within 50 days from referral. Independent predictors for surgical delay were undergoing surgery in the COVID-19 era (odds ratio (OR) 2.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-4.1; p=0.015), referral pathway (OR 35.1, 95% CI 4.2-296; p=0.001) and presenting pathology (OR 8.3, 95% CI 1.2-56.1; p=0.03). Short-term outcomes were comparable between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patient referral pathway and presenting pathology may contribute to delays in undergoing HPB cancer surgery during COVID-19 outbreaks. It is hoped that a better understanding of these factors will aid in designing shifts in healthcare policy during future pandemic outbreaks.
ABSTRACT
Background: Medical students being the doctors of tomorrow play very important role in community health awareness, especially in emergency situation like Covid 19. This research was under taken to study the knowledge, attitude and practices of medical students regarding COVID 19 pandemic. Material and method: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in the month of May, 2021, among medical students. A 33-item web-based survey questionnaire was developed to assess knowledge, attitude and practice among the medical students. Results: Total 342 valid responses were studied. Male to female ratio was 0.93 in the subjects. Common sources of information about COVID-19 were internet, social media and television. Most of the medical students were aware of the common modes of spread of infection. 80.7 % knew the correct incubation period. Only 35.1 percent of students thought that mild form of disease is most common. Nearly all knew that washing hands and wearing mask are important measures for prevention from COVID-19. Most of them feel that disease is dangerous (91.5%) and 43.3% are scared to do hospital work. Conclusion: Present study focus on a decent level of existing knowledge, practice, and attitude of COVID-19 among medical students. © 2021, MedSci Publications. All rights reserved.