Perceptions on Preventative Care During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Survey Using Clinical Scenarios
Abstract One significant side effect of the Covid-19 pandemic is the decline in preventative healthcare services. The reduction in inpatient and outpatient visits has been attributed to fears of contracting the virus. Our study utilized a cross sectional survey of adults to determine patient risk assessment for receiving preventative care during the pandemic, specifically mammography, colonoscopy, and immunizations, through clinical scenarios (ranked high, medium, or low risk). Based on the scenario, the respondent indicated whether they would schedule their appointment for the relevant procedure within the next month. We hypothesized that more people would choose to seek care as their symptomatic severity and risk factors increased including increased age, outweighing their Covid-19 fears against the urgency of their clinical presentation. Consistent with the hypothesis, there were statistically significant differences to increasing scenario intensity for all procedures (mammography, immunization, colonoscopy). Regarding age, low risk immunization respondents 65 years and older were more likely to get their flu shot than those in the 18-49 or 50-64 age brackets, whereas no significant differences were found for colonoscopy and mammography among eligible age groups. These empirical results epidemiologically support proposed projection models stating there will likely be an increased incidence in late-stage cancers and immunization preventable disease due to missed/unscheduled appointments attributed to the pandemic. Thus, physicians should strongly encourage their patients to receive missed preventative care.