Physicians' Opinions of COVID-19 Ambulatory Care Constraints: A Survey of Sickle Cell Clinicians

Kenney, Martha O.; Becerra, Benjamin; Beatty, Sean Alexander; Smith, Wally

Ambulatory specialty care operations have been challenged by the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We surveyed sickle cell disease (SCD) specialists to assess the effect of pandemic-associated factors on SCD center ambulatory equipment, operations, personnel, and finances. Thirty-two participants from 27 SCD centers completed our survey. The results showed that telemedicine was frequently adopted, and centers were minimally affected by limited staffing. However, some centers incurred additional cost due to the pandemic. As the long-term consequences of the pandemic become more apparent, vigilant measures are needed to ensure that SCD centers have adequate resources to prevent the exacerbation of existing disparities in access and outcomes for patients with SCD.