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“COVID-19: The final nail in coffin for physical examination” Evaluation of the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on physical examination habits of residents in a university hospital: a cross-sectional survey
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  • Mehmet Erdevir,
  • Oğuz Uyaroğlu,
  • Murat Özdede,
  • Mine Durusu Tanriover
Mehmet Erdevir
Hacettepe Universitesi

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Oğuz Uyaroğlu
Hacettepe Universitesi
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Murat Özdede
Hacettepe Universitesi
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Mine Durusu Tanriover
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Abstract

Aims: It is evident that COVID-19 pandemic have affected the medical practice and training of residents. In this study, we evaluated the Physical Examination (PE) habits of residents working in a university hospital and how their PE practices did change during the pandemic. Methods: This single-center, non-interventional, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in a university hospital using an online survey questionnaire from 5 to 20 October 2020. Results: 308 residents participated in the study of whom 172 of them (55.8%) were female and the median age was 27 (IQR:3). Among all, 263 participants (85.4%) declared that they have worked in the areas where suspected/confirmed COVID-19 patients were being served. A total of 262 (85%) residents stated that PE habits have changed generally during the pandemic. There was a significant difference between those residents who have worked in the COVID-19 areas (n=230,87.5%) and those who have not (n=32, 71.1%) (p=0.004). PE habits of Internal Medicine Residents were more changed than others (p<0.001). The main reason for the change in PE habits in general (77.9%) and during the examination of suspected/confirmed COVID-19 patients (89.7%) were ‘’self-protection”. Reliance on laboratory and radiologic investigations during practice and not having a thought that less PE will disrupt the diagnosis and course of COVID-19 were also independent risk factors for performing less PE in suspected/confirmed COVID-19 patients. Discussion: This study clearly demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a serious impact on the PE habits of the residents while examing patients in general and with COVID-19.
04 Jun 2021Submitted to International Journal of Clinical Practice
05 Jun 2021Submission Checks Completed
05 Jun 2021Assigned to Editor
15 Jun 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
05 Aug 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
30 Aug 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Major
16 Sep 20211st Revision Received
17 Sep 2021Submission Checks Completed
17 Sep 2021Assigned to Editor
17 Sep 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
27 Sep 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
19 Oct 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
26 Oct 2021Published in International Journal of Clinical Practice. 10.1111/ijcp.14988