Articles: covid-19.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Case control study of access to medications during COVID-19 and longitudinal impact on health outcomes for primary care patients managing multiple chronic conditions.
During coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), people managing multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) experienced barriers to obtaining needed medications. The purposes of this paper are to (i) determine risk factors for difficulty obtaining medications during COVID-19, (ii) document reasons for the difficulty, and (iii) evaluate the impact on later physical and mental health outcomes. ⋯ People with socioeconomic disadvantages experienced a disproportionate impact of difficulty obtaining medications and poorer health outcomes due to COVID-19. They may be at greater risk in the event of future pandemics and other societal disruptions.
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One role of primary care is to support people living with and beyond cancer, the number of whom is increasing worldwide. This study aimed to identify factors affecting cancer care provision within English primary care after the start of the coronavirus pandemic, during high healthcare service demand, and a depleted workforce. ⋯ The ability of primary care to deliver cancer care is affected by multiple factors at various levels. Future studies should identify the implementation strategies of local and national policies to better understand how to improve cancer care education, practice-level infrastructure, evidence-based workforce planning, and healthcare resourcing.
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Case Reports
Case series on 2 cases of macular damage caused by the novel coronavirus: A case report.
Macular damage is a rare yet significant ocular complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. This report highlights the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes in 2 cases of COVID-19-associated macular damage, contributing to the understanding of its pathophysiology and management. ⋯ COVID-19-associated macular damage appears to involve inflammatory and vascular mechanisms. Early systemic corticosteroid therapy may offer symptomatic relief and partially restore visual function. However, long-term monitoring is essential to address potential residual or progressive retinal damage.
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COVID-19 increased the burden of childcare on parents, leaving women vulnerable to increased disparities in the division of domestic labor. Women healthcare workers may be at heightened risk of worsening gender parity in the workplace as a result. ⋯ We observed significant gender-based disparities in the division of household labor among healthcare workers, with negative impacts on work performance, focus, and academic productivity. Our results support the notion that the COVID-19 pandemic worsened gender parity in the homes of healthcare workers, thus negatively affecting gender parity in the medical workplace.
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Human milk is associated with positive short- and long-term health outcomes. Women's choice to breastfeed is influenced by personal, social, health, and economic factors. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted health care delivery, non-emergent health care services, and family lifestyles, primarily in the early months of 2020. The aim of this study was to determine if breastfeeding initiation rates differed during a global pandemic among women in the military health care system. ⋯ Overall breastfeeding initiation rates did not differ during the COVID-19 pandemic when rates in 2020 were compared to those in the year prior. Race, birth method, parity, and gestational age were associated with breastfeeding initiation rates in women cared for at military centers.