Remote Monitoring and Holistic Care of Home-Isolated Covid-19 Positive Healthcare Workers Through Digital Technology During the Omicron (B1.1.529) Wave

A Prospective Cohort Study From India

Bibliographic Data

ID22077091
AuthorsSiddharth Jain (0000-0003-4065-5880, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research), Amit Agarwal (0000-0002-3352-0227, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research), Anupriya Bhardwaj (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research), P V M Lakshmi (0000-0002-6921-9794, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research), Manvi Singh (0000-0002-9653-1708, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, corresponding author), Anil Chauhan (0000-0002-8853-7317), Anil Kumar Chauhan (0000-0001-7922-8021, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research), Meenu Singh (0000-0002-2224-2743, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume10
Pages936000-936000
Publication date2022-07-13
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2022.936000
PMID35910868
OpenAlexW4285087142
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited17

Background Remote monitoring through digital technology offers a promising solution for the diverse medical, psychological and social issues that plague patients with COVID-19 under home-isolation, but remain neglected due to a lack of streamlined medical services for these patients. Methods This prospective cohort study determined the feasibility of remote telemonitoring of healthcare workers with mild COVID-19 under home isolation during the Omicron (B1.1.529) wave and characterized their clinico-demographic profile. A holistic monitoring model comprising of mandatory phone calls at the beginning and end of isolation, assisted by home oximetry, predesigned google forms, and opt-in software-based (eSanjeevani OPD) teleconsultation was employed. Factors associated with development of symptomatic disease were also determined. Results Out of 100 COVID-19 positive healthcare workers under home-isolation, data for 94 participants was available [median age 27(20–52) years, 56(60%) females]. 93(99%) patients were previously vaccinated for COVID-19 (median time from last dose = 248 days); 34(36%) had a past history of COVID-19. Fever (67%), myalgia (69%), sore throat/dry cough (70%), and running nose (45%) were the most common symptoms. No patient progressed to moderate-severe disease or required care escalation during the remote monitoring period. Most participants reported several additional psychosocial concerns which were adequately addressed. Symptomatic patients had higher BMI (24.1 vs. 21.8kg/m 2 , p = 0.01) compared to asymptomatic patients. Age, past infection with COVID-19, and time since last vaccine dose were not different between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Conclusion COVID-19 patients under home isolation have multi-faceted medical and psychosocial issues which can be holistically managed remotely through digital technology

2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Cohort · Cohort study · Digital health · Disease · Health care · Outbreak · Prospective cohort study · Telemedicine · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Medicine · Mobile Health and mHealth Applications · Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation · Internal Medicine · Virology

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