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Impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable patients with rheumatic disease: results of a worldwide survey.
Mehta, Bella; Jannat-Khah, Deanna; Fontana, Mark Alan; Moezinia, Carine J; Mancuso, Carol A; Bass, Anne R; Antao, Vinicius C; Gibofsky, Allan; Goodman, Susan M; Ibrahim, Said.
  • Mehta B; Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA drbellamehta@gmail.com.
  • Jannat-Khah D; Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.
  • Fontana MA; Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA.
  • Moezinia CJ; Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.
  • Mancuso CA; Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA.
  • Bass AR; Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA.
  • Antao VC; Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA.
  • Gibofsky A; Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.
  • Goodman SM; Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA.
  • Ibrahim S; Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.
RMD Open ; 6(3)2020 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-814261
ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:

There is emerging evidence that COVID-19 disproportionately affects people from racial/ethnic minority and low socioeconomic status (SES) groups. Many physicians across the globe are changing practice patterns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to examine the practice changes among rheumatologists and what they perceive the impact to be on their most vulnerable patients.

METHODS:

We administered an online survey to a convenience sample of rheumatologists worldwide during the initial height of the pandemic (between 8 April and 4 May 2020) via social media and group emails. We surveyed rheumatologists about their opinions regarding patients from low SES and racial/ethnic minority groups in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mainly, what their specific concerns were, including the challenges of medication access; and about specific social factors (health literacy, poverty, food insecurity, access to telehealth video) that may be complicating the management of rheumatologic conditions during this time.

RESULTS:

548 rheumatologists responded from 64 countries and shared concerns of food insecurity, low health literacy, poverty and factors that preclude social distancing such as working and dense housing conditions among their patients. Although 82% of rheumatologists had switched to telehealth video, 17% of respondents estimated that about a quarter of their patients did not have access to telehealth video, especially those from below the poverty line. The majority of respondents believed these vulnerable patients, from racial/ethnic minorities and from low SES groups, would do worse, in terms of morbidity and mortality, during the pandemic.

CONCLUSION:

In this sample of rheumatologists from 64 countries, there is a clear shift in practice to telehealth video consultations and widespread concern for socially and economically vulnerable patients with rheumatic disease.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pneumonia, Viral / Poverty / Autoimmune Diseases / Ethnicity / Rheumatic Diseases / Coronavirus Infections / Racial Groups / Betacoronavirus / Minority Groups Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Language: English Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Rmdopen-2020-001378

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pneumonia, Viral / Poverty / Autoimmune Diseases / Ethnicity / Rheumatic Diseases / Coronavirus Infections / Racial Groups / Betacoronavirus / Minority Groups Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Language: English Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Rmdopen-2020-001378