Department of Pediatrics, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Cardiol Young. 2021 May;31(5):822-828. doi: 10.1017/S1047951120004758. Epub 2020 Dec 14.
Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric non-COVID-19-related care, as well as patient and caregiver concerns and stressors, is critical for informing healthcare delivery. It was hypothesised that high care disruptions and psychological stress would be observed among paediatric and adult CHD patients in the early phase of the pandemic.
A cross-sectional, international, electronic survey study was completed. Eligible participants included parents of children with acquired or CHD, adults with CHD, or caregivers of adults with CHD.
A total of 1220 participants from 25 countries completed the survey from 16 April to 4 May, 2020. Cardiac care disruption was significant with 38% reporting delays in pre-pandemic scheduled cardiac surgeries and 46% experiencing postponed cardiac clinic visits. The majority of respondents (75%) endorsed moderate to high concern about the patient with heart disease becoming ill from COVID-19. Worry about returning for in-person care was significantly greater than worry of harm to patient due to postponed care. Clinically significant psychological stress was high across the sample including children (50%), adults with CHD (42%), and caregivers (42%).
The early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to considerable disruptions in cardiac care for patients with paediatric and adult CHD. COVID-19-related fears are notable with potential to impact willingness to return to in-person care. Psychological stress is also very high necessitating intervention. Further study of the impact of delays in care on clinical outcomes is warranted.
了解 COVID-19 大流行对儿科非 COVID-19 相关护理的影响，以及患者和照护者的担忧和压力源，对于告知医疗保健服务至关重要。人们假设，在大流行的早期阶段，儿科和成人 CHD 患者的护理中断和心理压力会很高。
进行了一项横断面、国际、电子调查研究。合格的参与者包括患有后天性或 CHD 的儿童的父母、患有 CHD 的成年人或患有 CHD 的成年人的照顾者。
共有来自 25 个国家的 1220 名参与者于 2020 年 4 月 16 日至 5 月 4 日完成了调查。心脏护理中断显著，38%报告了大流行前预定心脏手术的延迟，46%经历了心脏诊所就诊的推迟。大多数受访者（75%）表示对心脏病患者因 COVID-19 患病的中度至高度关注。对因推迟护理而导致患者出现身体不适的担忧明显大于对因推迟护理而对患者造成伤害的担忧。整个样本的临床显著心理压力都很高，包括儿童（50%）、患有 CHD 的成年人（42%）和照顾者（42%）。
COVID-19 大流行的早期阶段导致儿科和成人 CHD 患者的心脏护理出现了相当大的中断。与 COVID-19 相关的担忧引人注目，可能会影响到愿意返回面对面护理的意愿。心理压力也非常高，需要干预。进一步研究护理延迟对临床结果的影响是必要的。
