Evaluation of a support system for health professionals confined by COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the implementation of a telephone system in a department of Primary Care in Barcelona, Spain, supporting health professionals confined by COVID-19. METHODS: We conducted an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study with confined professionals, between March 11 and May 31, 2020. We emailed a questionnaire with 18 closed-ended questions and one open-ended question and performed a descriptive analysis of the closed-ended answers and an analysis of the thematic content of the open-ended question. RESULTS: Thirty-nine hundred and ninety-eight professionals evaluated the system overall with a score of 6.54 on a scale of 1 to 10. The evaluation of the format of calls made in the support system had higher scores, while the psychological support unit and the coordination of the different groups had lower scores. The content analysis of the open-ended question provides explanatory arguments for the quantitative results. CONCLUSIONS: The study allowed a valid and reliable evaluation of the implementation of a support system for confined professionals, in addition to recognizing areas for improvement.

[Descriptive study of the health service workers of a Primary Care Department confined by Covid-19.] / Estudio descriptivo de los trabajadores de servicios sanitarios de una dirección de atención primaria confinados por Covid-19.

OBJECTIVE: The Covid-19 pandemic is testing the resistance of health systems, the preservation of health professionals is a priority in processes of this type. The professionals' exposure to suspicious contacts often requires their confinement. The objective was to know the epidemiological characteristics of the primary care professionals who required confinement. METHODS: The research was carried out in the North Metropolitan Primary Care Area of Barcelona, from February 17 to May 3, 2020. 1,418 professionals who required confinement due to the epidemic by Covid-19 participated. The reasons for confinement, symptomatology, the confinement time and the results of PCR tests results were recorded. Univariate descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: 78.8% of the professionals were women and the mean age was 45.2 years. 67.8% were doctors and nurses, in the remaining 32.2% there were different healthcare and non-care professionals. 64.1% of the sample presented symptoms compatible with Covid-19. Participants described multiple symptoms during confinement. 1,050 diagnostic RT- PCR tests were performed, being positive in 323 cases, of which 33 were in asymptomatic people. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of the epidemic by Covid-19 is anticipated in health personnel compared to the general population. The distribution of symptoms in healthcare professionals is similar to that of other studies in the general population. Of the total number of professionals requiring isolation, 22.7% confirmed the diagnosis.

OBJETIVO: La pandemia de la Covid-19 está poniendo a prueba la resistencia de los sistemas sanitarios. La preservación de los profesionales sanitarios es prioritaria siempre y especialmente ante situaciones de este tipo. La exposición de los profesionales frente a contactos sospechosos obliga en muchas ocasiones a su confinamiento. El objetivo fue conocer las características epidemiológicas de los profesionales de atención primaria que han precisado confinamiento. METODOS: La investigación se llevó a cabo en el área de atención primaria Metropolitana Nord de Barcelona, desde el 17 de febrero al 3 de mayo de 2020. Participaron 1.418 profesionales que requirieron confinamiento debido a la epidemia por la Covid-19. Se registraron los motivos de confinamiento, sintomatología, tiempo de confinamiento y resultados de las pruebas PCR. Se realizó análisis descriptivo univariante. RESULTADOS: El 78,8% de los profesionales eran mujeres y la edad media de fue 45,2 años. El 67,8% fueron facultativos y enfermeras, en el 32,2% restante había diferentes profesionales asistenciales y no asistenciales. El 64,1% de la muestra presentó sintomatología compatible con Covid-19. Los participantes describieron múltiples síntomas durante el confinamiento. Se realizaron 1.050 pruebas diagnósticas RT-PCR resultando positivas en 323 casos, de los que 33 fueron en personas asintomáticas. CONCLUSIONES: El impacto de la epidemia por Covid-19 se adelanta en el personal sanitario respecto a la población general. La distribución de síntomas en profesionales sanitarios es similar a la de otros estudios en población general. Del total de profesionales que precisan confinamiento en el 22,7% se confirma el diagnóstico.

Evaluation of a support system for health professionals confined by COVID-19 / Evaluación de un circuito de apoyo a profesionales sanitarios confinados por COVID-19

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate the implementation of a telephone system in a department of Primary Care in Barcelona, Spain, supporting health professionals confined by COVID-19. METHODS We conducted an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study with confined professionals, between March 11 and May 31, 2020. We emailed a questionnaire with 18 closed-ended questions and one open-ended question and performed a descriptive analysis of the closed-ended answers and an analysis of the thematic content of the open-ended question. RESULTS Thirty-nine hundred and ninety-eight professionals evaluated the system overall with a score of 6.54 on a scale of 1 to 10. The evaluation of the format of calls made in the support system had higher scores, while the psychological support unit and the coordination of the different groups had lower scores. The content analysis of the open-ended question provides explanatory arguments for the quantitative results. CONCLUSIONS The study allowed a valid and reliable evaluation of the implementation of a support system for confined professionals, in addition to recognizing areas for improvement.

RESUMEN OBJETIVOS Evaluar la implementación de un circuito telefónico de apoyo a profesionales sanitarios confinados por COVID-19 en una dirección de Atención Primaria de Barcelona, en España. MÉTODOS Estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal, realizado con profesionales confinados en domicilio entre el 11 de marzo y el 31 de mayo de 2020. Se envió por correo electrónico un cuestionario con 18 preguntas cerradas y una abierta. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de las respuestas cerradas y un análisis del contenido temático de la pregunta abierta. RESULTADOS 398 profesionales puntuaron globalmente el circuito con 6,54 en una escala de 1 a 10. El formato de las llamadas realizadas en el circuito de apoyo se estimó con las puntuaciones máximas, la unidad de apoyo psicológico y la coordinación por diferentes colectivos se evaluaron con las puntuaciones más bajas. El análisis del contenido de la pregunta abierta ofrece argumentos explicativos de los resultados cuantitativos. CONCLUSIONES El estudio permitió evaluar de manera válida y fiable la implementación de un circuito de apoyo a profesionales confinados, además de reconocer áreas de mejora.