POS1205 THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON PATIENT MANAGEMENT AND PRESCRIBING STRATEGY ACROSS THE EU AND US: A REAL-WORLD SURVEY OF RHEUMATOLOGISTS, DERMATOLOGISTS, AND GASTROENTEROLOGISTS

Autor: J. Austin, J. Piercy, R. Lukanova, J. Hall, G. Taylor-Stokes, E. A. Holdsworth, M. J. Hughes
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 80:885.1-885
ISSN: 1468-2060
0003-4967
Popis: Background:The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to have impacted patient management on a global level. However, the degree of impact on patient management and prescribing strategy in the fields of rheumatology, dermatology and gastroenterology is unclear.Objectives:Assess the impact of COVID-19 on patient management and prescribing strategy across the EU and US, as described by rheumatologists, dermatologists, and gastroenterologists.Methods:Data were drawn from physician surveys in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK and US between July and December 2020. Physicians completed an online or telephone survey assessing how COVID-19 has impacted type and frequency of consultations; choice and prescription of medication.Results:847 physicians took part; 355 rheumatologists, 200 dermatologists (Germany, Spain, UK, and US only), and 282 gastroenterologists. As a result of COVID-19, most physicians stated they have moved at least some patients to video or telephone consultations (70% rheumatologists; 55% dermatologists; 60% gastroenterologists) and reduced overall frequency of consultations with patients (59% rheumatologists; 64% dermatologists; 51% gastroenterologists) (Table 1).35% of rheumatologists, 22% of dermatologists, and 14% of gastroenterologists described COVID-19 as changing the way they choose and prescribe medication, with differences observed between countries (Figure 1). Of those who stated they have made medication changes, rheumatologists stated changing medication to self-administration (62%) and not starting new patients on an advanced therapy (biologic DMARD or targeted synthetic DMARD) (58%) as most frequent. Dermatologists stated changes include changing treatment to more COVID-appropriate treatment (71%) and prescribing repeat prescriptions more regularly without consultation (56%). Gastroenterologists stated changes include changing medication to self-administration (55%) and prescribing a longer course of medication (48%).Comparing across countries, for all specialties, the greatest changes were observed in the UK followed by Spain, with least changes in Germany and Italy.Conclusion:There have been changes in the process of how healthcare is delivered, although treatment prescription was impacted to a lesser extent than consultation type and frequency. This varies across geographies, which may be due to differences in reported prevalence of COVID-19. Differences are also observed across specialities, which may be due to guidance received from specialty bodies. It is unknown what the long-term impact of changes in the management of patients due to COVID-19 will be on patient outcomes, satisfaction, engagement and adherence, and further research is needed.Table 1.Rheumatologist, Dermatologist, and Gastroenterologist described impact on patient management, by countryGlobal(n=847)France(n=90)Germany(n=168)Italy(n=122)Spain(n=161)UK(n=133)US(n=163)Rheumatologistsn=365n=50n=58n=59n=57n=50n=81Moving to video/telephone consultation70%70% 36%47%86%94%84%Fewer visits for individual patients (reduced visiting schedule)59%80%0%41%96%76%65%Dermatologistsn=200-n=50-n=50n=50n=50Moving to video/telephone consultation55%-40%-58%66%56%Fewer visits for individual patients (reduced visiting schedule)64%-60%-54%72%72%Gastroenterologistsn=282n=40n=60n=63n=54n=33n=32Moving to video/telephone consultation60%63%18%54%83%100%69%Fewer visits for individual patients (reduced visiting schedule)51%35%43%51%43%79%69%Figure 1.Proportion of rheumatologists, dermatologists, and gastroenterologists reporting changing the way they choose and prescribe medication as a result of COVID-19Disclosure of Interests:None declared.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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