Nearly 1 in 3 on Front Line Lacked PPE: Medscape UK COVID-19 Poll

A Medscape UK reader poll^₁ has highlighted issues doctors have been experiencing in getting the right PPE for COVID-19 patient care.

In a report published today UK Ethics Report 2020: COVID-19, Life, Death, and Pain we report on coronavirus issues and wider ethical dilemmas.

The Medscape UK reader poll^₁ showed 64% of respondents had been involved in frontline COVID-19 care and 31% experienced COVID-19 patient contact without adequate PPE.

Only 16% thought returning doctors and nurses, medical students, and others involved in the care of COVID-19 patients had adequate supervision and training.

Inadequate PPE

Results from a separate Medscape/WebMD survey^₂ showed 74% described their PPE as inadequate to some degree. Kit was ‘not at all’ adequate for 14%.

PPE was ‘adequate’ for 20% or ‘very adequate’ for 5%.

While there was little change in those reporting burnout before COVID-19 and during the pandemic, the poll found those reporting being 'very burned out' doubled from 8% to 16%.

Vaccines and Drugs

Oxford and Imperial's COVID-19 vaccines are being fast-tracked. In the Medscape UK reader poll^₁ 54% were in favour of accelerated processes for COVID vaccine and drug development, but 18% were against this.

One in 20 respondents had prescribed drugs with no specific market authorisation for COVID-19 patients.

COVID-19 Ethics

Six respondents (2%) in the Medscape UK reader poll^₁ said they'd taken time off sick during the coronavirus outbreak when they were healthy or didn’t need to self-isolate. These were due to concerns over their own health and concerns about family members.

Some specific ethics problems were reported by 44% of respondents.

These related to issues including:

Treating COVID-19 patients without appropriate PPE
Who/when to intubate
DNR discussions/policies
Bullying/pressure from management
Lack of ability to practise properly, eg, not able to examine patients
Treatment/management of patients who don't have COVID-19 but who do have serious/other health problems
Fear - for patients/colleagues/family/self
Implications of 'mismanagement' by UK Governments

Overall, 41% of doctors were happy to be working in the NHS during the pandemic. One said: "I'm not just happy but very proud to be working in the NHS."

Data were collected between 14th and 26th April 2020, and 340 UK doctors' responses were received.
The Medscape/WebMD online reader poll had responses from 110 UK doctors between 9th-20th April this year.

Send comments and news tips to uknewsdesk@medscape.net.

Cite this: Tim Locke. Nearly 1 in 3 on Front Line Lacked PPE: Medscape UK COVID-19 Poll - Medscape - May 19, 2020.

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