Changes in Retina Practice Patterns During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Philippines

Albert John Bromeo,1 Patricia Grulla-Quilendrino,1 Sweet Jorlene Lerit,1 Myron Carlo Gomez,1 Cheryl A Arcinue,1,2 Ralph Anthony De Jesus,1 Amadeo Veloso Jnr1 1Asian Eye Institute, Makati, Philippines; 2Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Ph...

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Main Authors: Bromeo AJ, Grulla-Quilendrino P, Lerit SJ, Gomez MC, Arcinue CA, De Jesus RA, Veloso Jnr A
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2021-08-01
Series:Clinical Ophthalmology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.dovepress.com/changes-in-retina-practice-patterns-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-in-th-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-OPTH
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author Bromeo AJ
Grulla-Quilendrino P
Lerit SJ
Gomez MC
Arcinue CA
De Jesus RA
Veloso Jnr A
author_facet Bromeo AJ
Grulla-Quilendrino P
Lerit SJ
Gomez MC
Arcinue CA
De Jesus RA
Veloso Jnr A
author_sort Bromeo AJ
collection DOAJ
description Albert John Bromeo,1 Patricia Grulla-Quilendrino,1 Sweet Jorlene Lerit,1 Myron Carlo Gomez,1 Cheryl A Arcinue,1,2 Ralph Anthony De Jesus,1 Amadeo Veloso Jnr1 1Asian Eye Institute, Makati, Philippines; 2Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines - Manila, Manila, PhilippinesCorrespondence: Albert John BromeoAsian Eye Institute, 9th Floor, PHINMA Plaza, Rockwell Center, Makati, PhilippinesTel + 63 02 8898 2020Email albert.bromeo@gmail.comPurpose: The aim of this study was to assess the changes in clinical practice patterns among retina specialists in the Philippines in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Materials and Methods: This was a multi-center cross-sectional study based on a self-reported online survey. An online questionnaire was distributed among practicing retina specialists in the Philippines as listed in the database of the Vitreo-Retina Society of the Philippines using a combination of convenience and snowball sampling. The questionnaire contained questions regarding changes in clinic set-up, laser procedures, intravitreal injections, vitreoretinal surgery, and long-term outlooks.Results: A total of 48 responses were recorded and analyzed with a view rate of 41.7%. There was a decrease in the number of clinic consults, laser procedures, intravitreal injections, and vitreoretinal procedures with most reporting only 1– 25% of their usual patient load. Several modifications in clinic protocols have been made, including use of personal protective equipment, adjustments in clinic hours, and scheduling of only urgent cases. The adjustments implemented during the pandemic are expected by most respondents to be long-term changes.Conclusion: Retina specialists in the Philippines have implemented changes in their practices to combat COVID-19, following guidelines issued by the local and international governing bodies on health.Keywords: COVID-19, pandemic, practice patterns, retina, vitreoretinal surgery
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spelling doaj.art-32a26ac9d94441a7812b1f33856351182022-12-21T20:36:26ZengDove Medical PressClinical Ophthalmology1177-54832021-08-01Volume 153493350467927Changes in Retina Practice Patterns During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the PhilippinesBromeo AJGrulla-Quilendrino PLerit SJGomez MCArcinue CADe Jesus RAVeloso Jnr AAlbert John Bromeo,1 Patricia Grulla-Quilendrino,1 Sweet Jorlene Lerit,1 Myron Carlo Gomez,1 Cheryl A Arcinue,1,2 Ralph Anthony De Jesus,1 Amadeo Veloso Jnr1 1Asian Eye Institute, Makati, Philippines; 2Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines - Manila, Manila, PhilippinesCorrespondence: Albert John BromeoAsian Eye Institute, 9th Floor, PHINMA Plaza, Rockwell Center, Makati, PhilippinesTel + 63 02 8898 2020Email albert.bromeo@gmail.comPurpose: The aim of this study was to assess the changes in clinical practice patterns among retina specialists in the Philippines in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Materials and Methods: This was a multi-center cross-sectional study based on a self-reported online survey. An online questionnaire was distributed among practicing retina specialists in the Philippines as listed in the database of the Vitreo-Retina Society of the Philippines using a combination of convenience and snowball sampling. The questionnaire contained questions regarding changes in clinic set-up, laser procedures, intravitreal injections, vitreoretinal surgery, and long-term outlooks.Results: A total of 48 responses were recorded and analyzed with a view rate of 41.7%. There was a decrease in the number of clinic consults, laser procedures, intravitreal injections, and vitreoretinal procedures with most reporting only 1– 25% of their usual patient load. Several modifications in clinic protocols have been made, including use of personal protective equipment, adjustments in clinic hours, and scheduling of only urgent cases. The adjustments implemented during the pandemic are expected by most respondents to be long-term changes.Conclusion: Retina specialists in the Philippines have implemented changes in their practices to combat COVID-19, following guidelines issued by the local and international governing bodies on health.Keywords: COVID-19, pandemic, practice patterns, retina, vitreoretinal surgeryhttps://www.dovepress.com/changes-in-retina-practice-patterns-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-in-th-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-OPTHcovid-19pandemicpractice patternsretinavitreoretinal surgery
spellingShingle Bromeo AJ
Grulla-Quilendrino P
Lerit SJ
Gomez MC
Arcinue CA
De Jesus RA
Veloso Jnr A
Changes in Retina Practice Patterns During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Philippines
Clinical Ophthalmology
covid-19
pandemic
practice patterns
retina
vitreoretinal surgery
title Changes in Retina Practice Patterns During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Philippines
title_full Changes in Retina Practice Patterns During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Philippines
title_fullStr Changes in Retina Practice Patterns During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Philippines
title_full_unstemmed Changes in Retina Practice Patterns During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Philippines
title_short Changes in Retina Practice Patterns During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Philippines
title_sort changes in retina practice patterns during the covid 19 pandemic in the philippines
topic covid-19
pandemic
practice patterns
retina
vitreoretinal surgery
url https://www.dovepress.com/changes-in-retina-practice-patterns-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-in-th-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-OPTH
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