Author: Sermo (i): Contact: www.sermo.com/about/
Published: 2020-10-25
Table of contents and important points:
The majority of US doctors (92%) urge patients to get a flu shot, and the majority of doctors and doctors around the world think a second wave of COVID-19 is likely.
While doctors always recommend flu shots, almost all recommend that patients get a vaccine sooner rather than later.
Some Sermo members expressed concern that a second wave might occur in late fall or winter and be aggravated by influenza, common respiratory viruses, and other seasonal viruses.
Main digestion
Week 14 of Sermo’s real-time COVID-19 barometer survey (1) found that 92 percent of doctors in the US recommend that patients get an annual flu shot as soon as possible in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. In New York and California, the number of doctors recommending the flu shot immediately rose to 96 percent and 94 percent, respectively.
The real-time barometer is an observational study of the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak reported by doctors with first-hand experience treating COVID-19 patients. Thousands of doctors share insights into global health crisis issues every week. To date, Sermo has conducted over 60,800 interviews with doctors in 31 countries including the US, Canada, UK, France, Brazil, Russia, China, Japan and Australia. The full results can be found at sermo.com
While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traditionally recommend that patients get a flu shot by the end of October to help fight the virus during the flu season, nearly all (85%) of the 2,400+ sermo- Doctors from September 17, 20 in 31 countries are encouraging their patients to get a flu shot right away.
Sermo is the largest health data collection company and social platform for doctors, reaching 1.3 million health professionals in 150 countries. The platform allows doctors to anonymously talk about real medicine, review treatment options via our proprietary drug ratings platform, resolve patient cases together, and participate in medical market research.
“Every year in the fall and winter months, the flu catches millions and brings hundreds of thousands of people to the hospital. Older people are particularly hard hit each year,” said Peter Kirk, CEO of Sermo. “While doctors always recommend flu vaccinations, the fact that almost all patients recommend getting a vaccine sooner rather than later shows how concerned they are about the potential of flu to deplete valuable resources in the midst of this historic pandemic.”
The survey also found that doctors, like everyone else, are already planning to either cancel or severely restrict travel plans during the holiday season due to COVID-19. Worldwide, 68 percent of doctors said that their vacation travel plans were “significantly affected” by the pandemic. Overall, 66 percent of doctors in the United States said they didn’t want to travel with their families, but in New York and California that number rose to 83 percent and 70 percent, respectively.
Further results of the survey are:
- 65 percent of doctors worldwide said they ordered a COVID-19 test for a patient, while 42 percent said they had treated a patient for COVID-19.
- In the U.S., 70 percent of doctors ordered a COVID-19 test, while 44 percent said they treated a patient for the disease.
- In New York the numbers rise to 76 percent and 47 percent, respectively. In California, the percentage of doctors who order tests reflects the percentage nationwide.
The numbers follow doctors’ belief that a second surge in COVID-19 cases is in sight. Globally, 93 percent of doctors expect a second wave of falls when the northern hemisphere enters the autumn and winter months and people spend more time indoors.
In related news from Sermo
81% of US doctors and 62% of doctors worldwide believe the second wave of COVID-19 is likely
Sermo’s COVID-19 Real-Time Barometer Survey, conducted June 10-12 of nearly 4,000 doctors in 31 countries, shows 81% of doctors in the US believe a second wave of COVID-19 – defined as “a sharp increase in cases afterwards” reaching longer periods with low growth rates “is likely. 62 percent of doctors in other countries such as France, Korea and Australia think a second wave is likely.
Full survey data and methods can be found at https://app.sermo.com/covid19-barometer.
“I am sure there will be a second wave of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths, especially in areas where social distancing and wearing of masks have been overly relaxed in an attempt to return to ‘normal'”, said Dr. David Karpf. Endocrinologist at Stanford Health Care.
Some Sermo members expressed concern that a second wave might occur in late fall or winter and be aggravated by influenza, common respiratory viruses, and other seasonal viruses.
When asked about willingness for a second wave, only a third (34%) of doctors worldwide said they assumed their state or region would be prepared, and a quarter (26%) are unsure if they are the knowledge gained can be fully applied to a second tip.
Will we see a second wave of COVID-19? Week 11 (June 10-12) data from the Sermo COVID-19 real-time barometer study of nearly 4,000 doctors in 31 countries. Is it likely that a second wave of COVID • 19 will occur? US doctors 19% not likely, 81% likely. Rest of the world doctors 38% not likely, 62% likely. Are we prepared for a second wave? 34% of doctors worldwide expect their state or region to be prepared. 26% are not sure whether the knowledge gained will be fully applied to a second peak. – Photo credit: Sermo.
Are we prepared on site?
- In California, where more and more new cases are emerging, 87% of doctors surveyed think a second wave is likely, but only 39% are very confident that their state will fully apply what has been learned.
- In Illinois, where strict guidelines have been in place since mid-March and residents are preparing to enter Phase 4 later this week, 75% of doctors think a second wave is likely. Only 10% of Illinois physicians surveyed are extremely confident that the state will fully apply what was learned in wave one to wave two.
- In New York, the epicenter of the outbreak, 76% of doctors surveyed expect a second wave, and more than half (51%) trust how people would handle it. How are doctors?
Returning to some level of normalcy is a complex process that involves risk of infection and transmission with the physical and mental effects of isolating, canceling summer camps, closing schools, continuing to work from home, and more Must be reconciled.
As the general public becomes increasingly anxious about finance, health, safety, relationships, and other issues, doctors suffer from their own occupational stressors. Among the doctors who have experienced more stress than usual in the past week, Sermo found:
- 63% attributed the increase to implementing new processes to see patients in the office.
- 58% attributed this to financial concerns (while 38% of doctors in the rest of the world think their increased stress is due to finances).
- 36% attributed this to uncertainty about how to treat COVID-19.
“Our data reflects the voice of doctors around the world, and in this latest wave we hear their concerns about potential spikes, second waves, and readiness,” said Peter Kirk, CEO of Sermo. “Doctors emphasize the importance of remaining vigilant against the coronavirus, otherwise many countries will return to first place.”
1 – https://app.sermo.com/covid19-barometer
(i) Source / Reference: Sermo. Disabled World makes no guarantees or warranties in connection therewith. Content may have been edited for style, clarity, or length.
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Journal: Disabled World. Language: English. Author: Sermo. Electronic publication date: 2020-10-25. Last revised date: 2020-10-25. Reference Title: “Doctors Tell Patients They Will Get A Flu Shot This Season,” Source: Doctors Tell Patients That They Will Get A Flu Shot This Season. Summary: The majority of US doctors (92%) urge patients to get a flu shot, and the majority of doctors and doctors worldwide think a second wave of COVID-19 is likely. Retrieved on December 11, 2020 from https://www.disabled-world.com/health/influenza/coronavirus/2020-flu-shots.php – reference category number: DW # 522-13894.
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