Survey: COVID-19 has had little impact on nephrology practices
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In a March 10 survey of 85 practicing nephrologists, just one nephrologist was treating a patient diagnosed with COVID-19 and 30% of surveyed nephrologists rated the federal government’s handling of the pandemic as unfavorable.
The survey conducted by Spherix Global Insights on March 10, showed that:
- Forty percent of nephrologists reported high concern related to COVID-19, particularly for patients on dialysis;
- More than one-third reported new policies from their practices or institutions had restricted conference/meeting attendance;
- Just one nephrologist responding to the survey reported an active COVID-19 case;
- Less than 5% of nephrologists have ordered a COVID-19 test for any of their patients; and
- Thirty percent give the government unfavorable ratings for their handling of the COVID-19 situation.
“At present, the COVID-19 pandemic has not had a huge impact on most nephrologists, based on our survey, but close to half are highly concerned for their patients, particularly those on in-center hemodialysis,” Jennifer Robinson, CEO of Spherix Global Insights, told Healio Nephrology. “We anticipate that both the impact on nephrology practices and concern for patients will increase in the coming weeks.”
Those respondents who said the virus has had a “high impact” on their practices were primarily from urban areas, Robinson said. Overall, 92% of respondents were from urban and suburban locations; 69% were from solo nephrology practices and 19% were from hospital-based practices.
“I am concerned about workflow for screening of dialysis patients prior to each treatment given lack of staff,” one respondent said in the survey. “Also, [I am concerned] for staff to call department of health and where to put patient in our small waiting room. Anxiety about if COVID-19 patients go into hospital requiring dialysis may overwhelm capacity to dialyze.”
One nephrologist acknowledged his clinic was running low on medical supplies like masks; another said he or she was “covering for [a] partner who has recently traveled and [was] not allowed in [the] dialysis center for 2 weeks.”
Other nephrologists who responded to the survey shared concerns about having a proper place to provide dialysis to infected patients.
“[The lack of] availability of tests so far has created uncertainty in patient care for health care staff over focus on COVID-19 [and] will likely lead to poorer treatment of other critical conditions,” one nephrologist wrote. – by Mark E. Neumann
Reference:
www.spherixglobalinsights.com/covid-19-impact-on-nephrologists-spotlight/
Disclosure: Robinson reports no relevant financial disclosures.
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