The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Effect on Public Sentiments Regarding Elective Plastic Surgery in the United States.
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ABSTRACT: Background
The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19) has challenged the US's healthcare systems to adapt and innovate on multiple fronts. As the course of the COVID-19 pandemic changes, we explore the US public sentiments on resuming previously postponed elective plastic surgery procedures.Methods
A prospective national survey of one thousand US adults was conducted to study public perception of elective plastic surgery procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Binomial logarithmic multivariable regression modeling was employed to study the response data.Results
Nine hundred seventy-three participants were included in study. The majority (86.6%) believed elective plastic surgery should continue during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most (79.6%) would not delay obtaining plastic surgery more than 6 months. Participants expressed concerns of contracting COVID-19 at elective surgery centers (67.5%) or at hospitals (68.5%). Participants who reside in the Midwest (odds ratio [OR] 2.3, P < 0.05) and participants between the ages of 41 and 60 years old (OR 2.8, P < 0.03) were more likely to resume elective plastic surgery. Participants who had undergone a COVID-19 test (OR 0.13, P < 0.04), contracted the COVID-19 infection (OR 0.26, P < 0.03), or were older than 60 years (OR 0.41, P < 0.02) were less likely to resume elective plastic surgery.Conclusion
The majority of the US adult participants (1) agree with resuming elective plastic surgery services, (2) but harbor some concerns of contracting COVID-19 during their procedures, and (3) agree with the majority of safety protocols taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
SUBMITTER: Chen J
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8081467 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:BackgroundMany U.S. health systems are grappling with how to safely resume elective surgery amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We used online crowdsourcing to explore public perceptions and concerns toward resuming elective surgery during the pandemic, and to determine factors associated with the preferred timing of surgery after health systems reopen.MethodsA 21-question survey was completed by 722 members of the public using Amazon Mechanical Turk. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with the timing of preferred surgery after health systems reopen.ResultsMost (61%) participants were concerned with contracting COVID-19 during the surgical process, primarily during check-in and in waiting room areas, as well as through excessive interactions with staff. Overall, 57% would choose to have their surgery at a hospital over an outpatient surgery center. About 1 in 4 (27%) would feel comfortable undergoing elective surgery in the first month of health systems reopening. After multivariable adjustment, native English speaking (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.04-6.4; P = .042), male sex (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.3-2.7; P < .001), and Veterans Affairs insurance (OR, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.1-18.7; P = .036) were independent predictors of preferring earlier surgery.ConclusionWomen and non-native English speakers may be more hesitant to undergo elective surgery amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite concerns of contagion, more than half of the public favors a hospital setting over an outpatient surgery center for their elective surgery. Concerted efforts to minimize patient congestion and unnecessary face-to-face interactions may prove most effective in reducing public anxiety and concerns over the safety of resuming elective care.
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