PNS14 Investigation of Physicians’ Digital Activities on Mitigating the IMPACT of Covid-19 in China

Abstract

COVID-19 outbreak caused a global health crisis and posed public health challenges. During the outbreak, digital technologies were widely used to enhance prevention measures. Kantar in association with CphMRA, conducted a survey to understand the use and role of digital health tools among Chinese physicians during the epidemic. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from February 29th to March 5th in 2020, using convenience sampling to collect physician behaviour in terms of digital activity and participation in internet hospitals. Logistic regression was used to analyse the digital activity data, and mixed model was used to analyse the internet hospital practice including online diagnosis and treatment before and during the outbreak. This study included 28.3% residents, 35.5% doctors-in-charge and 36.2% chief/vice-chief physicians from 30 provinces (n=3691). In total, 79.5% of respondents engaged in digital activities to enhance public health/medical education and communication such as webcasting, case sharing, and patient management. The results also show that physicians practising in higher level hospitals (p<0.001) as well as those working in fever clinics (p<0.05) were significantly more likely to use digital tools. Moreover, 66.1% respondents registered with internet hospitals and 22.8% of whom had registered new accounts during the outbreak. The number of online medical service during the outbreak was significantly higher (29.1 patients/week, 95% CI: 7.5∼50.6) than that before the outbreak. The physicians in lower level hospitals and those registered more internet hospital accounts were significantly more likely to conduct online medical services (p<0.05). Additionally, 75.1% of the online prescriptions were delivered to patients’ doorsteps, with higher incidence in more serious epidemic regions (P<0.01). Digital technology was extensively used to enhance public health strategies and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 by improving medical education, communication, and ensuring continuity of health services for patients while preventing unnecessary hospital visits.