Dear Editor,
I would like to share some ideas on the article “Evaluation of knowledge and attitudes among intensive care physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey”, which was published in the Sao Paulo Medical Journal.11. Erbas M, Dost B. Evaluation of knowledge and attitudes among intensive care physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey [published online ahead of print, 2020 Jul 6] . Sao Paulo Med J. 2020;S1516-31802020005014103. PMID: 32638938; doi: 10.1590/1516-3180.2020.02545062020.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-3180.2020.0...
Erbas et al. concluded that “For intensive care treatment of COVID-19 patients, many factors require management, and clinicians’ experience is guiding future processes”.11. Erbas M, Dost B. Evaluation of knowledge and attitudes among intensive care physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey [published online ahead of print, 2020 Jul 6] . Sao Paulo Med J. 2020;S1516-31802020005014103. PMID: 32638938; doi: 10.1590/1516-3180.2020.02545062020.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-3180.2020.0...
Since COVID-19 is a new emerging disease, the data available for effective diagnostic and therapeutic management are limited. When a disease first occurs in a country, there is no doubt that practitioners usually only have limited knowledge. For example, in Thailand, the second country in which COVID-19 occurred,22. Yasri S, Wiwanitkit V. Editorial: Wuhan coronavirus outbreak and imported case. Adv Trop Med Pub Health Int. 2019;9:1-2. the knowledge of local practitioners was not good when the disease first occurred.33. Apaijitt P, Wiwanitkit V. Knowledge of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by medical personnel in a rural area of Thailand [published online ahead of print, 2020 Apr 22]. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2020;1. PMID: 32319875; doi: 10.1017/ice.2020.159.
https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2020.159...
Therefore, the key important thing is medical education for practitioners. During a crisis, the data available changes rapidly and there is usually a problem in communication. Information technology (IT) may play a role, but its availability remains limited in remote areas. Additionally, because of the high influx of patients, practitioners might not have any time for education. A good plan for medical education for practitioners who have to care for these patients is necessary.
REFERENCES
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1Erbas M, Dost B. Evaluation of knowledge and attitudes among intensive care physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey [published online ahead of print, 2020 Jul 6] . Sao Paulo Med J. 2020;S1516-31802020005014103. PMID: 32638938; doi: 10.1590/1516-3180.2020.02545062020.
» https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-3180.2020.02545062020 -
2Yasri S, Wiwanitkit V. Editorial: Wuhan coronavirus outbreak and imported case. Adv Trop Med Pub Health Int. 2019;9:1-2.
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3Apaijitt P, Wiwanitkit V. Knowledge of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by medical personnel in a rural area of Thailand [published online ahead of print, 2020 Apr 22]. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2020;1. PMID: 32319875; doi: 10.1017/ice.2020.159.
» https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2020.159
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Dr DY Patil University, Pune, India
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Sources of funding: None
Publication Dates
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Publication in this collection
14 Aug 2020 -
Date of issue
Sep-Oct 2020
History
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Reviewed
17 July 2020 -
Received
20 July 2020 -
Accepted
20 July 2020