Effect of Nation-wide Lockdown on Palliative Care Services in a Tertiary Care Centre in India: A Retrospective Observational Study.
Indian J Palliat Care
; 26(Suppl 1): S45-S47, 2020 Jun.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1792228
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected all the aspects of life of mankind, posing unique challenges for health-care services. In order to contain the spread of the virus, a countrywide mass lockdown has been imposed in India. Although the lockdown has modified the epidemic trajectory, it has affected the lives of many non-COVID patients. Patients in need of care could not approach hospitals.METHODS:
This retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Onco-Anaesthesia and Palliative Medicine at a tertiary care center in India. The yearly data of patient flow for the year 2019 was compared with that during the lockdown.RESULTS:
The single-day average of out-patients, in-patients, and other department consultation requests requiring palliative care decreased drastically during the lockdown in comparison to the previous year. The single-day average of teleconsultations increased more than double during the lockdown.CONCLUSION:
Although lockdown decreases the spread of the epidemic, it increases the suffering of other patients who require medical care. Various steps have to be adopted in the regular working pattern of hospitals to cater to the needs of the patients requiring care, without increasing the risk of contracting COVID-19.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Language:
English
Journal:
Indian J Palliat Care
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
IJPC.IJPC_142_20
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