Articles: pandemics.
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Annals of family medicine · Apr 2022
Racial and ethnic disparities in access to primary care during COVID-19.
Context: Early evidence suggests that many patients chose to forgo or delay necessary medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Existing and well-documented racial and ethnic disparities in access to care were exacerbated by the pandemic for many reasons, potentially including the additional barriers involved in a rapid shift to telehealth for certain groups of patients. Objectives: 1) Examine changes in primary care visit volume and telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. 2) Test for racial and ethnic differences in primary care in-person and telehealth visits during the pandemic relative to pre-pandemic levels. ⋯ Conclusion: Declines in primary care visits during the pandemic were partially offset by an increase in telehealth use. Utilization in our sample suggests less decline in Black and Hispanic patient primary care utilization during the pandemic than expected, in contrast to Asian patients, who demonstrated the largest declines. This metric and these results are novel and foundational for ongoing & further study using other data sources.
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Annals of family medicine · Apr 2022
Access to general practice during COVID-19: a cross-sectional view of the opinions of adults who use social media.
Background/Aim: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual consultations have become commonplace, and access to healthcare more complex. The study was designed to examine the impact COVID-19 has had on access to general practice care in Ireland. Methods: A 25-question online survey was designed in Qualtrics®. ⋯ Maintaining the supply chain for long-term medications for patients remains a challenge during a pandemic. Authors accept that study participants were confined to those who use social media. A protocol may need to be designed by each practice to optimize the continuation of care and of medication schedules during any future pandemics.
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Several studies have reported decreased trauma admissions and increased physical abuse in children resulting from stay-at-home measures. However, these studies have focused on a limited period after the implementation of lockdown policies. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of quarantine and reopening initiatives on admissions for varying types of injuries in pediatric patients. ⋯ This is the first study to comprehensively examine the effects of quarantine and reopening policies on admission patterns for a pediatric trauma center in a metropolitan area. Total admissions and child abuse evaluations were not impacted. If shutdown measures are re-instituted, preventative efforts should be directed towards ATV use and recreational activities.
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Journal of women's health · Apr 2022
Impact of SARS-COV2 Pandemic on Patients with Endometriosis and Their Health Care.
Background: Endometriosis is a debilitating chronic inflammatory disease. The current SARS-COV2 pandemic has had an impact on the management of these patients. Tele-health care has been a relevant tool. ⋯ Conclusions: Patients with endometriosis, and especially patients with "significant" pelvic pain, reported greater concern and the perception of worsening during the SARS-COV2 pandemic. Tele-health is a useful tool in patients with endometriosis, and face-to-face visit should be considered in those reporting "significant" pelvic pain. Clinical Trial Registration Number: HCB 1202011497.
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Annals of family medicine · Apr 2022
Intention for COVID-19 vaccination: predictors and sources of influence.
Context: General acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination is needed to end the pandemic, but vaccine hesitancy is a challenge. Identifying predictors of acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines and sources of positive influence on vaccine decisions could inform and guide the efforts to improve vaccination rates. Objective: 1) To determine the proportion and predictors of vaccine intentions among adults served by our mobile free clinic. 2) To determine the sources of positive influence on vaccine uptake. ⋯ Conclusions: Similar to national averages, 66% of our sample intended to accept a COVID-19 vaccine. Flu vaccination in the last year and worrying about health during the pandemic predicted intention to receive the vaccine. Health care providers were most frequently identified as a positive influence on vaccine uptake, underscoring the importance of their role in recommending COVID-19 vaccinations.