Background: Since December 2019, the global population has been experiencing an unprecedented challenge due to Corona virus disease (COVID-19). A pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization on March 11th 2020, with an escalation of new cases worldwide. Dermatology units experienced a reorganization of regular activity, also providing clinical diagnosis and medical assistance to COVID-19-positive patients who developed cutaneous manifestations. Objective: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Italian dermatologic clinical practice. Materials & Methods: This was a prospective online survey, consisting of a questionnaire with 35 multiple-choice questions uploaded on the website of the Italian Society of Dermatology and Venereology — SIDeMaST. Results: A total of 136 dermatologists, 78 women (57%) and 58 men (43%), participated in the survey. The mean age was 58 ± 14 years. In total, 60% of participants reported an impact of the pandemic on their practice, in most cases consisting of a remarkable reduction in routine clinical activity (58%). Concern regarding possible infection was evaluated with a score ranging from 0 (no concern) to 5 (extremely concerned): the fear of becoming infected was high (≥3 in 40%), as was the fear of infecting families, colleagues or patients (≥3 points in 45%). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic is having a strong impact on dermatology practice in Italy. The identification of critical points may help scientific societies to improve the clinical scenario and create specific strategies to overcome the emergency.
Lambertini, M., Patrizi, A., Peris, K., Marasco, G., Toselli, M., Marcelli, E., Giampieri, E., Mussi, M., Dika, E., The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dermatologic practice: an Italian survey, <<EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY>>, 2021; 31 (1): 55-59. [doi:10.1684/ejd.2021.3970] [http://hdl.handle.net/10807/206046]
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dermatologic practice: an Italian survey
Peris, K.;
2021
Abstract
Background: Since December 2019, the global population has been experiencing an unprecedented challenge due to Corona virus disease (COVID-19). A pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization on March 11th 2020, with an escalation of new cases worldwide. Dermatology units experienced a reorganization of regular activity, also providing clinical diagnosis and medical assistance to COVID-19-positive patients who developed cutaneous manifestations. Objective: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Italian dermatologic clinical practice. Materials & Methods: This was a prospective online survey, consisting of a questionnaire with 35 multiple-choice questions uploaded on the website of the Italian Society of Dermatology and Venereology — SIDeMaST. Results: A total of 136 dermatologists, 78 women (57%) and 58 men (43%), participated in the survey. The mean age was 58 ± 14 years. In total, 60% of participants reported an impact of the pandemic on their practice, in most cases consisting of a remarkable reduction in routine clinical activity (58%). Concern regarding possible infection was evaluated with a score ranging from 0 (no concern) to 5 (extremely concerned): the fear of becoming infected was high (≥3 in 40%), as was the fear of infecting families, colleagues or patients (≥3 points in 45%). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic is having a strong impact on dermatology practice in Italy. The identification of critical points may help scientific societies to improve the clinical scenario and create specific strategies to overcome the emergency.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.