Purpose

Spine surgeons around the world have been universally impacted by COVID-19. The current study addressed whether prior experience with disease epidemics among the spine surgeon community had an impact on preparedness and response toward COVID-19.

Methods

A 73-item survey was distributed to spine surgeons worldwide via AO Spine. Questions focused on: demographics, COVID-19 preparedness, response, and impact. Respondents with and without prior epidemic experience (e.g., SARS, H1NI, MERS) were assessed on preparedness and response via univariate and multivariate modeling. Results of the survey were compared against the Global Health Security Index.

Results

Totally, 902 surgeons from 7 global regions completed the survey. 24.2% of respondents had prior experience with global health crises. Only 49.6% reported adequate access to personal protective equipment. There were no differences in preparedness reported by respondents with prior epidemic exposure. Government and hospital responses were fairly consistent around the world. Prior epidemic experience did not impact the presence of preparedness guidelines. There were subtle differences in sources of stress, coping strategies, performance of elective surgeries, and impact on income driven by prior epidemic exposure. 94.7% expressed a need for formal, international guidelines to help mitigate the impact of the current and future pandemics.

Conclusions

This is the first study to note that prior experience with infectious disease crises did not appear to help spine surgeons prepare for the current COVID-19 pandemic. Based on survey results, the GHSI was not an effective measure of COVID-19 preparedness. Formal international guidelines for crisis preparedness are needed to mitigate future pandemics.

中文翻译：

---

向过去学习：以往流行病的经验是否有助于减轻 COVID-19 对全球脊柱外科医生的影响？

目的

世界各地的脊柱外科医生普遍受到 COVID-19 的影响。目前的研究探讨了脊柱外科医生社区先前的疾病流行经验是否会影响对 COVID-19 的准备和反应。

方法

通过 AO Spine 向全世界的脊柱外科医生分发了一项 73 项调查。问题集中在：人口统计、COVID-19 准备、响应和影响。通过单变量和多变量模型评估有和没有先前流行病经历（例如，SARS、H1NI、MERS）的受访者的准备情况和反应。调查结果与全球健康安全指数进行了比较。

结果

共有来自全球 7 个地区的 902 名外科医生完成了调查。24.2% 的受访者曾经历过全球健康危机。只有 49.6% 的人报告有足够的个人防护设备使用权。先前接触过流行病的受访者报告的准备情况没有差异。世界各地的政府和医院的反应相当一致。先前的流行病经验并未影响防备指南的存在。在压力来源、应对策略、择期手术的表现以及先前流行病暴露对收入的影响方面存在细微差异。94.7% 的人表示需要正式的国际指南，以帮助减轻当前和未来流行病的影响。

结论

这是第一项研究指出，之前在传染病危机方面的经验似乎并没有帮助脊柱外科医生为当前的 COVID-19 大流行做好准备。根据调查结果，GHSI 并不是衡量 COVID-19 准备情况的有效措施。需要正式的国际危机准备指南来减轻未来的流行病。