The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical education: adaptability and remote learning experience of the Peruvian American Medical Society

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on medical care and medical education in Peru. In response, the Peruvian American Medical Society (PAMS), a charitable medical organization based in the USA, pursued its medical and educational missions in Peru by adopting virtual learning technology. We developed closer collaborative relationships with several medical schools and the Peruvian Association of Medical Schools (ASPEFAM) while offering a faculty panel of twenty-four members to provide lectures and multidisciplinary webinars in Spanish. We conducted 19 webinars including COVID -19 and non-COVID-19 related topics that over the last two years attracted 14,489 participants from 23 countries. They were the foundation for twenty publications in Peruvian medical journals. Our clinical investigations competition was positively received as was our pilot project on research mentorship. The COVID -19 pandemic had a positive effect on the educational mission of PAMS in Peru.

Role of the Peruvian American Medical Society (PAMS) in North-South medical cooperation. A historical perspective

This essay is a review of the main activities carried out by the Peruvian American Medical Society (PAMS) in terms of health cooperation in Peru. In the last 48 years, PAMS activities have been evolving, going from assistance through medical missions, to capacity transfer and strengthening of Medical Education in Peru. Likewise, PAMS has demonstrated the capacity to provide support in contingency situations, such as the latest activities in support of the country during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The lessons learned from this cooperative experience are analyzed, recognizing future possibilities that may contribute to the strengthening of the Peruvian Health System.

Comorbidity and prognostic factors on admission in a COVID-19 cohort of a general hospital.

ANTECEDENTS AND OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical features, comorbidity, and prognostic factors associated with in-hospital mortality in a cohort of COVID-19 admitted to a general hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients with COVID-19 admitted from 26th February 2020, who had been discharged or died up to 29th April 2020. A descriptive study and an analysis of factors associated with intrahospital mortality were performed. RESULTS: Out of the 101 patients, 96 were analysed. Of these, 79 (82%) recovered and were discharged, and 17 (18%) died in the hospital. Diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction to SARS-CoV2 in 92 (92.5%). The mean age was 63 years, and 66% were male. The most frequent comorbidities were hypertension (40%), diabetes mellitus (16%) y cardiopathy (14%). Patients who died were older (mean 77 vs 60 years), had higher prevalence of hypertension (71% vs 33%), and cardiopathy (47% vs 6%), and higher levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and reactive C protein (mean 662 vs 335 UI/L, and 193 vs 121mg/L respectively) on admission. In a multivariant analysis the variables significantly associated to mortality were the presence of cardiopathy (CI 95% OR 2,58-67,07), levels of LDH≥345 IU/L (CI 95% OR 1,52-46,00), and age≥65 years (CI 95% OR 1,23-44,62). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of cardiopathy, levels of LDH≥345 IU/L and age≥65 years, are associated with a higher risk of death during hospital stay for COVID-19. This model should be validated in prospective cohorts.

Comorbidity and prognostic factors on admission in a COVID-19 cohort of a general hospital. / Comorbilidad y factores pronósticos al ingreso en una cohorte COVID-19 de un hospital general.

ANTECEDENTS AND OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical features, comorbidity, and prognostic factors associated with in-hospital mortality in a cohort of COVID-19 admitted to a general hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients with COVID-19 admitted from 26th February, who had been discharged or died, up to 29th April, 2020. A descriptive study and an analysis of factors associated with intrahospital mortality were performed. RESULTS: Out of the 101 patients, 96 were analysed. Of these, 79 (82%) recovered and were discharged, and 17 (18%) died in the hospital. Diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction to SARS-CoV-2 in 92 (92.5%). The mean age was 63 years, and 66% were male. The most frequent comorbidities were hypertension (40%), diabetes mellitus (16%) and cardiopathy (14%). Patients who died were older (mean 77 vs 60 years), had higher prevalence of hypertension (71% vs 33%), and cardiopathy (47% vs 6%), and higher levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and reactive C protein (mean 662 vs 335UI/L, and 193 vs 121mg/L respectively) on admission. In a multivariant analysis the variables significantly associated to mortality were the presence of cardiopathy (CI 95% OR 2,58-67,07), levels of LDH≥345IU/L (CI 95% OR 1,52-46,00), and age≥65 years (CI 95% OR 1,23-44,62). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of cardiopathy, levels of LDH≥345IU/L and age ≥65 years are associated with a higher risk of death during hospital stay for COVID-19. This model should be validated in prospective cohorts.