Lessons learned by thoracic surgeons during the COVID-19 pandemic

Journal of Thoracic Disease

article

Helen J. Madsen¹  Anne Lambert-Kerzner¹  Ellison Mucharsky¹  Joseph D. Phillips³  Elizabeth A. David¹  David D. Odell⁴  Adam R. Dyas¹  Robert A. Meguid¹ 

[1] Surgical Outcomes and Applied Research Program, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine;Adult and Child Center for Health Outcomes Research and Delivery Science, University of Colorado School of Medicine;Section of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center;Thoracic Surgery Outcomes Research Network, ThORN, Inc.;Division of Thoracic Surgery, Canning Thoracic Institute Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine;Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

关键词: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19);    lessons learned;    thoracic surgery COVID-19;    pandemic;    qualitative;   

DOI  :  10.21037/jtd-22-920

学科分类：呼吸医学

来源: Pioneer Bioscience Publishing Company

【 摘 要 】

Background: The scale of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has necessitated healthcare systems to adapt and evolve, altering physician roles and expectations. Thoracic surgeons have seen practice changes from new COVID-19 consults to necessary delay and triage of elective care. The goal of this study was to understand the impact of COVID-19 on thoracic surgeon experiences in order to anticipate roles and changes in practice in future such circumstances. Methods: Semi-structured, qualitative individual telephone interviews were conducted with thoracic surgeons. Interviews were structured to understand how surgeons were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and to record lessons learned. Interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was achieved. Data were analyzed using matrix analysis. Results: Eleven board-certified general thoracic surgeons from nine institutions were interviewed. Thoracic surgeon roles in COVID-19 care included critical care delivery, performing tracheostomies and establishing related protocols, and interventions for long-term airway complications. Attention was called to the impact of the pandemic on thoracic cancer: patients avoided hospitals because of concern over COVID-19, delaying care. Conclusions: Thoracic surgeons played a critical role in the COVID-19 pandemic response in both technical patient care and administrative capacities. Primary care responsibilities included the development, administration and delivery of tracheostomy protocols, and the care of down-stream airway complications. Thoracic surgeons were critical in triage decisions to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on thoracic cancer care. Lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic may provide insight into opportunities to promote collaboration in thoracic surgery and facilitate improved care delivery in future settings of resource limitation.

【 授权许可】

Unknown