Impact of COVID-19 on gynaecological patient care: results of patient\u2019s survey with 327 patients

F Recker,A Mustea,E K Egger,S Dohmen,M Ritter,J Sehouli,M Gadebusch Bondio,D Könsgen,M B Stope,D Dimitrova

doi:10.1007/s00404-021-06280-8

F Recker, A Mustea + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-021-06280-8

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Abstract

PurposeThe pandemic SARS-CoV-2 poses new and unprecedented challenges for health care systems on a national and global level. Although the current situation has been going on for more than 1 year, there is limited data on the impact of the pandemic on general hospital and medical practice care. This survey captures the perspective of patients with gynaecological diseases of this impact.MethodsUsing a paper-based questionnaire, 327 patients were asked about medical care and their experiences during the pandemic at the University Hospital Bonn and the University Hospital Charité Berlin. The study was performed from the 1st June to 30th September 2020.ResultsA total of 327 patients participated in the study: 156 stated to have been tested for coronavirus, and 1 patient reported a positive test. 41.3% of the patients felt insecure about the current situation, 30.4% were concerned about the risk of infection during the hospital stay. The pandemic-specific measures in hospitals and medical practices unsettled 6.8% of patients. 18.1% of patients feared that their gynaecological disease would not be treated adequately due to the pandemic. 55.7% of patients reported that their confidence in their physicians has increased during the pandemic.ConclusionThe results show that patients’ confidence in the healthcare system and the physicians acting significantly increased during the COVID-19 crisis. Transparent and comprehensive information policy regarding actions and restrictions within the COVID-19 crisis eases patients concerns and improves patients’ confidence in their physicians, which is crucial for a successful treatment’s outcome.

Highlights

The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 (“Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2”) and the resulting infectious disease COVID-19 (“Coronavirus Disease 2019”) in Wuhan (Hubei Province, China) began in December 2019
The survey showed that patients perceived the flow of information in this pandemic situation very differently
81.1% of the patients consider the way doctors react with the current situation to be appropriate, only 6.3% disagreed, and 12.6% of respondents had no positive or negative opinion on this question (Fig. 3a)

Summary

Introduction

The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 (“Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2”) and the resulting infectious disease COVID-19 (“Coronavirus Disease 2019”) in Wuhan (Hubei Province, China) began in December 2019. The survey broached the issues of (1) the general perception of the pandemic, (2) concerns about infection during patient care, (3) concerns about inadequate treatment due to pandemic restrictions, (4) perceptions of pandemic-related safety procedures, and (5) the physician–patient relationship, the trust of patients in their treating physicians during COVID-19. The majority of patients have confidence in their treatment and the medical system— during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

Conclusion