AB0920-PARE WHAT WE LEARNED DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: J. Grygielska
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2021)

Background: When the first official cases of pneumonia of unknown etiology in the city of Wuhan were reported by Chinese authorities to the World Health Organization (WHO) on 31st of December, 2019 nobody couldn’t imagine that only month later new disease reached Europe and so fast change lives around the world. The first case of COVID-19 in Poland has been detected on 4th March 2020 and 16 days later Polish government introduced an epidemic state connected with new law regulations and with lockdown. Objectives: Fast shared new coronavirus was a challenge for all. People with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) in very short time lost their sense of security. They received different information about COVID-19. One of the main information was that people with RMDs have higher risk of COVID-19. Providing real information in era of fake-news and giving of possible solutions during pandemic has become the goal of activities of patients organizations. Methods: Lack of appropriate knowledge about new coronavirus forced different activities among entities acting for the benefit of patients. Our rheumatic patients organizations suspended group exercises and face to face meeting counting that it was only for 1-2 months. In social media from early March 2020 we support action “stay at home” like a warranty of safety. We tried to stay in contact with member organizations and in regional organizations with their members. We participated in action “Patient units us” organized by Minister for Patients Rights – during duty hours we had a chance to inform calling us people about different solutions connected with pandemic. Using our social media we inform people with RMDs about statement of EULAR and Polish Society for Rheumatology. After short break we are continuing works in Council of Patients Organization to the Minister for Patients Rights. Having contacts with RMDs patients we learn from them about their problems met in everyday lives. Results: COVID-19 pandemic interrupted typical activities of our associations. After summer holidays we could organize group exercises and real meetings only during 2 months to new wave of coronavirus. Many members resigned from participation fear of infection. For the same reason people resigned from medical consultation and examination. Following confirmed information we could share it among our followers using websites and social media. Majority of medical consultations was remotely when physician calls to patient on time of appointed visit. Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic accelerated progress of e-health and of using of new technologies. On the one hand it give a challenge for people who didn’t use it before to start to do it but on the other hand digital exclusion has deepened among people who never use Internet and stay alone in pandemic times. Virtual activities of associations give a chance to keep a contact with members, increase their knowledge, dispel doubts. Some changes forced by coronavirus infection are good and will stay among us like e-prescription, e-referral, internet patients account, virtual workshops and lectures. We are concerned that teleconsultations can replace medical examination in out-patient center. It can be danger for people with inflammatory arthritis. So long break in face to face meetings in associations can be a reason of lost of members especially older. Fast learning of using of new technology in medicine and in activities of associations give an opportunity for future but nothing can replace personal contact. Disclosure of Interests: None declared