Perceptions of Romanian Physicians on Lockdowns for COVID-19 Prevention
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic in March 2020, triggering important changes for the entire society and healthcare systems, as well as significant lockdown measures aimed to limit the disease spread. We herein intended to cat...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Healthcare |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/1/95 |
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| author | Alina Dima Daniel Vasile Balaban Ciprian Jurcut Ioana Berza Ruxandra Jurcut Mariana Jinga |
| author_facet | Alina Dima Daniel Vasile Balaban Ciprian Jurcut Ioana Berza Ruxandra Jurcut Mariana Jinga |
| author_sort | Alina Dima |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic in March 2020, triggering important changes for the entire society and healthcare systems, as well as significant lockdown measures aimed to limit the disease spread. We herein intended to catch the dynamic of Romanian physicians’ perceptions of COVID-19 impact. For this purpose, after a literature review, a 30-item questionnaire was designed. The questionnaire was twice distributed online, about 1 month apart, during which partial relaxation measures were decreed in Romania. The questionnaire was voluntarily filled in by Romanian physicians who were willing to participate in the study. A total of 214 physicians answered the questionnaire upon its first release, and 199 respondents were registered upon its second release, most of whom (94.9%) were involved in clinical work, with one-third working in units dedicated to COVID-19 patients. In parallel with the relaxation of lockdown measures, along with increased confidence in the efficiency of protective measures (46.7% vs. 31.3%), separation from household members decreased from 36.9% to 22.1%. Nevertheless, the feeling of rejection felt by doctors remained similar (22.4% vs. 24.6%). Furthermore, answers regarding the clinical picture, diagnostic approach, and treatment options are discussed. Most of therapeutic options considered for SARS-CoV-2 treatment (e.g., lopinavir/ritonavir, oseltamivir, hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, tocilizumab, and convalescent plasma) failed to confirm significant efficiency. On the contrary, vaccines for widescale use are already available despite the initial skepticism. In the beginning of the pandemic, 25.2% (18.2% vs. 32.2%) considered that there will not be an effective COVID-19 vaccine, while 41.6% (43.0% vs. 40.2%) thought that a vaccine would be available after at least 12 months. In conclusion, initially, following only a 1 month period, Romanian physicians’ intention to consider treatments such as hydroxychloroquine or lopinavir/ritonavir for COVID-19 decreased significantly. Moreover, confidence in the efficiency of available protective measures increased, and the rates of separation from household members decreased. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:27:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e615465d5d034cc68c42365f79c0ac44 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9032 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:27:17Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Healthcare |
| spelling | doaj.art-e615465d5d034cc68c42365f79c0ac442023-12-03T13:39:19ZengMDPI AGHealthcare2227-90322021-01-01919510.3390/healthcare9010095Perceptions of Romanian Physicians on Lockdowns for COVID-19 PreventionAlina Dima0Daniel Vasile Balaban1Ciprian Jurcut2Ioana Berza3Ruxandra Jurcut4Mariana Jinga5Colentina Clinical Hospital, 072202 Bucharest, RomaniaInternal Medicine and Gastroenterology Clinic, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 030167 Bucharest, RomaniaDr. Carol Davila Central University Emergency Military Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, RomaniaColentina Clinical Hospital, 072202 Bucharest, RomaniaInternal Medicine and Gastroenterology Clinic, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 030167 Bucharest, RomaniaInternal Medicine and Gastroenterology Clinic, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 030167 Bucharest, RomaniaThe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic in March 2020, triggering important changes for the entire society and healthcare systems, as well as significant lockdown measures aimed to limit the disease spread. We herein intended to catch the dynamic of Romanian physicians’ perceptions of COVID-19 impact. For this purpose, after a literature review, a 30-item questionnaire was designed. The questionnaire was twice distributed online, about 1 month apart, during which partial relaxation measures were decreed in Romania. The questionnaire was voluntarily filled in by Romanian physicians who were willing to participate in the study. A total of 214 physicians answered the questionnaire upon its first release, and 199 respondents were registered upon its second release, most of whom (94.9%) were involved in clinical work, with one-third working in units dedicated to COVID-19 patients. In parallel with the relaxation of lockdown measures, along with increased confidence in the efficiency of protective measures (46.7% vs. 31.3%), separation from household members decreased from 36.9% to 22.1%. Nevertheless, the feeling of rejection felt by doctors remained similar (22.4% vs. 24.6%). Furthermore, answers regarding the clinical picture, diagnostic approach, and treatment options are discussed. Most of therapeutic options considered for SARS-CoV-2 treatment (e.g., lopinavir/ritonavir, oseltamivir, hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, tocilizumab, and convalescent plasma) failed to confirm significant efficiency. On the contrary, vaccines for widescale use are already available despite the initial skepticism. In the beginning of the pandemic, 25.2% (18.2% vs. 32.2%) considered that there will not be an effective COVID-19 vaccine, while 41.6% (43.0% vs. 40.2%) thought that a vaccine would be available after at least 12 months. In conclusion, initially, following only a 1 month period, Romanian physicians’ intention to consider treatments such as hydroxychloroquine or lopinavir/ritonavir for COVID-19 decreased significantly. Moreover, confidence in the efficiency of available protective measures increased, and the rates of separation from household members decreased.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/1/95SARS-CoV-2COVID-19lockdownphysicians’ perceptionsurveyquestionnaire |
| spellingShingle | Alina Dima Daniel Vasile Balaban Ciprian Jurcut Ioana Berza Ruxandra Jurcut Mariana Jinga Perceptions of Romanian Physicians on Lockdowns for COVID-19 Prevention Healthcare SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 lockdown physicians’ perception survey questionnaire |
| title | Perceptions of Romanian Physicians on Lockdowns for COVID-19 Prevention |
| title_full | Perceptions of Romanian Physicians on Lockdowns for COVID-19 Prevention |
| title_fullStr | Perceptions of Romanian Physicians on Lockdowns for COVID-19 Prevention |
| title_full_unstemmed | Perceptions of Romanian Physicians on Lockdowns for COVID-19 Prevention |
| title_short | Perceptions of Romanian Physicians on Lockdowns for COVID-19 Prevention |
| title_sort | perceptions of romanian physicians on lockdowns for covid 19 prevention |
| topic | SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 lockdown physicians’ perception survey questionnaire |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/1/95 |
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