lancet-header

Preprints with The Lancet is part of SSRN´s First Look, a place where journals identify content of interest prior to publication. Authors have opted in at submission to The Lancet family of journals to post their preprints on Preprints with The Lancet. The usual SSRN checks and a Lancet-specific check for appropriateness and transparency have been applied. Preprints available here are not Lancet publications or necessarily under review with a Lancet journal. These preprints are early stage research papers that have not been peer-reviewed. The findings should not be used for clinical or public health decision making and should not be presented to a lay audience without highlighting that they are preliminary and have not been peer-reviewed. For more information on this collaboration, see the comments published in The Lancet about the trial period, and our decision to make this a permanent offering, or visit The Lancet´s FAQ page, and for any feedback please contact preprints@lancet.com.

Changes in Clinical Practice in Medical Areas Not Related to COVID-19: A Cross Sectional Survey During COVID-19 Crisis

27 Pages Posted: 22 Jun 2021

See all articles by Ji Sup Hwang

Ji Sup Hwang

Seoul National University - Seoul National University Hospital

Yohan Lee

Seoul National University - Department of Orthopedic Surgery

Dae Jong Oh

Seoul National University

Sohee Oh

Seoul National University - Boramae Medical Center

Chi-Hyun Choi

Seoul National University

Kee Jeong Bae

Seoul National University

Goo Hyun Baek

Seoul National University

More...

Abstract

Background: During COVID-19 crisis, different management strategies by hospitals might have affected clinical practices in medical areas not related to COVID-19. We aimed to evaluate changes in clinical practice of orthopedic surgeons during the COVID-19 crisis, and to analyze the factors associated with the changes.

Methods: Nationwide online-based anonymous survey of 400 orthopedic surgeons in hospitals of South Korea was conducted. The change in clinical practice, of which the score ranged from 5 (the least defensive) to 25 (the most defensive), and its predictive factors among demographic factors, hospital activeness, personal experience, mental health status, and sensitivity to the stress were evaluated and analyzed.

Findings: For 241 among 400 surgeons who completed the survey, the change in clinical practice score averaged 16·0 ± 2·8. Old age (β = 0·059, 95% CI 0·021 to 0·097), passive hospital strategy (β = -0·221, 95% CI -0·374 to -0·067), unfavorable clinical environment (β = -0·285, 95% CI -0·476 to -0·094), negative personal experience (β = 0·512, 95% CI 0·128 to 0·896), high stress scores (β = 0·045, 95% CI 0·014 to 0·076), and sensitivity to stress (β = 1·693, 95% CI 0·971 to 2·414) could predict the defensive clinical practice.

Interpretation: Clinical practice by orthopedic surgeons changed to a defensive way during COVID-19 crisis. The changes were related not only to individual factors but also to systemic factors, such as hospital management or clinical environment. An active attitude toward management might be required to maintain the quality of clinical practice during a pandemic crisis.

Funding Information: None.

Declaration of Interests: The authors have nothing to declare.

Ethics Approval Statement: The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Ethics Board (IRB No. 20-2020-215).

Suggested Citation

Hwang, Ji Sup and Lee, Yohan and Oh, Dae Jong and Oh, Sohee and Choi, Chi-Hyun and Bae, Kee Jeong and Baek, Goo Hyun, Changes in Clinical Practice in Medical Areas Not Related to COVID-19: A Cross Sectional Survey During COVID-19 Crisis. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3871723 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3871723

Ji Sup Hwang

Seoul National University - Seoul National University Hospital ( email )

101, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu
Seoul, 03080
Korea, Republic of (South Korea)

Yohan Lee (Contact Author)

Seoul National University - Department of Orthopedic Surgery ( email )

20, Boramae-ro 5-gil
Dongjak-gu
Seoul, 07061
Korea, Republic of (South Korea)

Dae Jong Oh

Seoul National University ( email )

Kwanak-gu
Seoul, 151-742
Korea, Republic of (South Korea)

Sohee Oh

Seoul National University - Boramae Medical Center ( email )

Seoul
Korea, Republic of (South Korea)

Chi-Hyun Choi

Seoul National University ( email )

Kwanak-gu
Seoul, 151-742
Korea, Republic of (South Korea)

Kee Jeong Bae

Seoul National University ( email )

Kwanak-gu
Seoul, 151-742
Korea, Republic of (South Korea)

Goo Hyun Baek

Seoul National University ( email )

Kwanak-gu
Seoul, 151-742
Korea, Republic of (South Korea)