Orthoptic Services in the UK and Ireland During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Aim: COVID-19 has widely impacted hospital services. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 on Orthoptists and their clinical practice in the UK, Ireland, and Channel Islands. Methods: We conducted a prospective survey-based cross-sectional study using an online survey aim...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
White Rose University Press
2020-06-01
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| Series: | British and Irish Orthoptic Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.bioj-online.com/articles/153 |
| _version_ | 1818036078899101696 |
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| author | Fiona Rowe Lauren Hepworth Claire Howard Steven Lane |
| author_facet | Fiona Rowe Lauren Hepworth Claire Howard Steven Lane |
| author_sort | Fiona Rowe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Aim: COVID-19 has widely impacted hospital services. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 on Orthoptists and their clinical practice in the UK, Ireland, and Channel Islands. Methods: We conducted a prospective survey-based cross-sectional study using an online survey aiming for coverage of orthoptic departments across the UK, Ireland, and Channel Islands. We circulated the online survey through the British and Irish Orthoptic Society that reaches over 95% of UK and Irish orthoptic services, and through social media and orthoptic research networks. Results: The survey response rate was 79%. The survey was completed by orthoptic departments, on average 10 days post lockdown. Many orthoptic services were cancelled/paused with remaining services largely reserved for emergency cases and urgent care. A substantial rise in tele-consultations was reported by 94%, which largely consisted of telephone and video calls and which was regarded generally as working well. Barriers to tele-consultations were mainly IT related but with concerns also raised regarding ethical and confidentiality issues. Shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) was reported by one third of departments along with issues relating to conflicting information about the use of PPE. Conclusions: We have reported information on the changing face of orthoptic clinical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey has highlighted emerging tele-consultation practice and the importance of centralised profession-specific guidelines. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T07:05:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bcbb84630a0f48febcd5b6d7c50da70b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2516-3590 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T07:05:14Z |
| publishDate | 2020-06-01 |
| publisher | White Rose University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | British and Irish Orthoptic Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-bcbb84630a0f48febcd5b6d7c50da70b2022-12-22T01:58:13ZengWhite Rose University PressBritish and Irish Orthoptic Journal2516-35902020-06-0116110.22599/bioj.153142Orthoptic Services in the UK and Ireland During the COVID-19 PandemicFiona Rowe0Lauren Hepworth1Claire Howard2Steven Lane3University of LiverpoolUniversity of LiverpoolSalford Royal NHS Foundation TrustUniversity of LiverpoolAim: COVID-19 has widely impacted hospital services. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 on Orthoptists and their clinical practice in the UK, Ireland, and Channel Islands. Methods: We conducted a prospective survey-based cross-sectional study using an online survey aiming for coverage of orthoptic departments across the UK, Ireland, and Channel Islands. We circulated the online survey through the British and Irish Orthoptic Society that reaches over 95% of UK and Irish orthoptic services, and through social media and orthoptic research networks. Results: The survey response rate was 79%. The survey was completed by orthoptic departments, on average 10 days post lockdown. Many orthoptic services were cancelled/paused with remaining services largely reserved for emergency cases and urgent care. A substantial rise in tele-consultations was reported by 94%, which largely consisted of telephone and video calls and which was regarded generally as working well. Barriers to tele-consultations were mainly IT related but with concerns also raised regarding ethical and confidentiality issues. Shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) was reported by one third of departments along with issues relating to conflicting information about the use of PPE. Conclusions: We have reported information on the changing face of orthoptic clinical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey has highlighted emerging tele-consultation practice and the importance of centralised profession-specific guidelines.https://www.bioj-online.com/articles/153orthoptistcovid-19coronavirusservice deliverysurvey |
| spellingShingle | Fiona Rowe Lauren Hepworth Claire Howard Steven Lane Orthoptic Services in the UK and Ireland During the COVID-19 Pandemic British and Irish Orthoptic Journal orthoptist covid-19 coronavirus service delivery survey |
| title | Orthoptic Services in the UK and Ireland During the COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_full | Orthoptic Services in the UK and Ireland During the COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_fullStr | Orthoptic Services in the UK and Ireland During the COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_full_unstemmed | Orthoptic Services in the UK and Ireland During the COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_short | Orthoptic Services in the UK and Ireland During the COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_sort | orthoptic services in the uk and ireland during the covid 19 pandemic |
| topic | orthoptist covid-19 coronavirus service delivery survey |
| url | https://www.bioj-online.com/articles/153 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT fionarowe orthopticservicesintheukandirelandduringthecovid19pandemic AT laurenhepworth orthopticservicesintheukandirelandduringthecovid19pandemic AT clairehoward orthopticservicesintheukandirelandduringthecovid19pandemic AT stevenlane orthopticservicesintheukandirelandduringthecovid19pandemic |