Towards pragmatic adaptations: orthopedic surgery amidst the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

Since its inception, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has proliferated rapidly, eliciting debilitating ramifications for patients, physicians, and healthcare setups alike. Due to the exorbitant infection related admissions, healthcare setups have been stretched to their horizons with a resultant depletion of essential resources. Consequently, time-sensitive decisions vouching for the prioritization of infected patients have been made, calling for unprecedented transformations in orthopedic surgical practice. Despite these significant reforms, novel guidelines surrounding the orthopedic surgical milieu remain at the epicenter of an elusive public healthcare conundrum. We hereby delineate these transformations and propose pragmatic strategies to mitigate the concomitant risks. </div

Towards effective management protocols: a transnational review of the state-of-the-art of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has proliferated rapidly in Pakistan, adversely affecting every province. The grave repercussions that the pandemic has elicited in Pakistan have evoked a dire need for drastic measures to be employed at both the governmental and provincial levels. Due to the inequitable appropriation of healthcare resources with respect to the various provinces, however, a stark contrast in terms of morbidity and mortality persists. Furthermore, considering that Pakistani citizens constitute a noteworthy proportion of expatriates residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the close proximity of the two countries, due consideration of the situation in the UAE is also warranted. We present a transnational review to delineate the current state-of-the-art in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates and evaluate pragmatic management protocols that remain at the epicenter of a national healthcare conundrum

Physician preparedness in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: a cross-sectional study from a developing country

Background: December 2019 marked the inception of a global pandemic, with cases being reported worldwide. In the developing nations with scarce healthcare resources, the reliance on healthcare workers who are amply prepared to withstand the prevailing scenario is indispensable. Our study aimed to assess the level of preparedness of doctors working in various hospitals across Pakistan to combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: We conducted an online questionnaire-based survey in May 2020 to estimate the level of preparedness of doctors working in various departments of various private and public hospitals across Pakistan. The survey comprised 36 questions, with items evaluating the provision of adequate protective equipment, training, mental health resources, and sound collaboration between healthcare workers and the hospital management during the COVID-19 crisis. Results: A total of 346 doctors responded to the survey, among whom 56.4% were working in public sector hospitals and 46.5% were working more than five days per week. Of those included, 87.6% were being provided with disposable gloves, but 72.8% and 43.4% of respondents professed to having no access to eye protective equipment and gowns, respectively. Only 35.3% of respondents claimed to be trained regarding the use of personal protective equipment and 28.95% were being tested. Of the physicians, 43.4% claimed to have no proper triage system for the suspected patients and 98.3% were concerned about transmitting the disease to their family members. Of the doctors, 53.5% reported that there was sound collaboration between the hospital management and healthcare staff. Conclusion: The survey provided evidence of inadequate delivery of personal protective equipment and training to doctors working in various hospitals across Pakistan. A sound collaboration between the hospital management and departments needs to be addressed.</div