Reality of allergists during the COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina 2020

ABSTRACT

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic modified the way of practicing medicine, causing a changes in medical actions in the health professional and in their habits in relation to daily practices. Accelerated changes have taken place, which have led to the development and implementation of telemedicine as a very useful tool that allows professional contact with their patients, and on the other hand, access to up-to-date scientific training. Objetive Evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activity of the allergist in Argentina during phase 1 of preventive and mandatory social isolation (april and may 2020). Determine the impact of the pandemic on allergic diseases. Analyze the use of telemedicine in daily practice. Method: It is a prospective, observational and cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was made to specialist doctors in Allergy and Immunology during april and may 2020 of preventive and compulsory social isolation, for subsequent statistical study. Results: 113 surveys were carried out, 72.9% showed a decrease in work practice by 50%, 20.7% between 25-50% and 6.3% less than 25%. The most frequent consultations were request for prescriptions in 67%, medical history certificates in 48%, rhinitis and urticaria in 46%, atopic dermatitis and asthma attack in 23%, and contact dermatitis in 5.3%. 94% implemented telemedicine, the most used tools were whatsapp/webcam (61%) followed by telephone assistance (38%). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic affected the practice of the specialty in terms of the decrease in medical consultation, the way of working, interacting with patients, the need for protective equipment, with an emotional and economic cost. On the other hand, it gave the possibility of having other care alternatives such as telemedicine.