The COVID-19 pandemic caused substantial damage to millions of people’s lives, countries’ economies, and many healthcare organizations worldwide. The coronavirus crisis revealed inadequacies of the U.S. health system, which is primarily insurance-based (Metzl et al., 2020). Unfortunately, the economic downfall that the United States experienced at the beginning of the pandemic resulted in a surge in unemployment. It meant that many citizens lost their jobs and had no medical insurance, usually provided by employers (Blumenthal et al., 2020). Although some were eligible for Medicaid after becoming jobless, many people lacked insurance amid the COVID crisis. According to Blumenthal et al. (2020), “31 million persons … were uninsured and the more than 40 million estimated to be underinsured before the pandemic struck” (p. 1483). These numbers were problematic for the nation because 26% of COVID-19 cases and 24% of death occurred in the United States, whose people comprise only 4% of the global population (Blumenthal et al., 2020). This pandemic damaged hospitals’ infrastructure and reflected the deep crisis of the American healthcare system by exposing issues of insurance-based care that prevented many people from receiving medical help.
The U.S. hospitals were in crisis at the beginning of the pandemic because of the lack of materials and supplies. Since many non-emergent procedures had to be canceled, healthcare institutions started to have a drop in their revenue (Zeegen et al., 2020). Indeed, it was estimated that hospitals could lose more than $320 billion during the first year of the pandemic (Blumenthal et al., 2020). This situation could affect the financial viability of clinics that were potentially dangerous for the system because of the personnel and equipment shortage. Furthermore, monetary losses could incentivize healthcare organizations to raise prices, making care even more unaffordable (Blumenthal et al., 2020). Moreover, before the vaccination was introduced, Emergency Rooms had to function at their maximum capacity despite being understaffed and underfunded (Dorsett, 2020). Although some COVID patients could stay home for quarantine, many required admissions to the intensive care units (ICU) for mechanical ventilation. Since the United States, like other countries, did not have enough ventilator machines, ICUs were overwhelmed (Dorsett, 2020). These circumstances often required prioritizing care in favor of critically ill people, leaving less severe patients for home care through telemedicine.
The inadequacy of the insurance-based healthcare system was evident before the pandemic, and when the coronavirus crisis began, it became apparent that fundamental change was required. The economic downturn caused by the pandemic resulted in the loss of about 35 million employer-provided health insurance (Zeegen et al., 2020). The main problem was that Medicaid could reach the point of non-expansion due to its limited capacity, leaving millions of people without access to medical care. This situation was dangerous not only for acute COVID patients but also for people with chronic illnesses who were at increased risk for complications from their non-communicable diseases if left without long-term treatment. Moreover, the pandemic revealed racial discrimination in providing access to health care. The lack of insurance among many people of color resulted in the substantial rise of COVID-19 death among African Americans. According to Blumenthal et al. (2020), the black population comprised 20% of cases and 22% of deaths from this infectious disease during the initial stages of the pandemic. Overall, the COVID-19 crisis demonstrated that the U.S. healthcare system demands significant changes.
The disarray caused by the pandemic was an indication of the need for change in the U.S. healthcare system. According to Sorenson et al. (2020), it is essential to eliminate unnecessary prescriptions and procedures “that provide little to no clinical benefit” to reduce the cost of care (p. 2). Despite the implementation of vaccination, there is a need for continuous social distancing. Therefore, it is crucial to expand the healthcare network with telehealth and community services (Sorenson et al., 2020). Moreover, this pandemic is an opportunity for the federal government to alter the structure of the American health system. For instance, policymakers can encourage the country’s transition to a single-payer model (Blumenthal et al., 2020). Indeed, the coronavirus crisis showed that this transition is critical because it will enable the detachment of medical insurance from employment status, protecting people from future economic disturbances and pandemics.
In summary, the current COVID-19 pandemic severely affected the United States healthcare system. It reduced the hospitals’ revenue, caused a shortage of equipment and personnel, and left many people unemployed and uninsured. Since hospitals lost billions of dollars due to canceled procedures, their financial viability was endangered. The COVID crisis revealed that insurance-based care is inadequate because it makes people’s health linked to their jobs, which means that any disruptive event that affects businesses leaves patients without medical support. Thus, the U.S. government should consider changing the system to a single-payer model to provide health care to patients regardless of their income. This transition is needed to support people during the ongoing pandemic and prevent similar disasters in the system in the future.
Sorenson, C., Japinga, M., Crook, H., & McClellan, M. (2020). Building a better health care system post-COVID-19: Steps for reducing low-value and wasteful care. NEJM Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery, 1(4), 1-10. Web.
The report presents the weekly and cumulative statistics about the COVID-19 pandemic, including the number of cases, vaccination rate, case positivity, and mortality levels. Among the Florida counties, the highest cumulative positivity rate of 46.2% is in Lafayette (‘COVID-19 weekly,’ 2022). At the same time, the overall cumulative positivity rate in Florida accounts for 26.4%, while the new case positivity for the week from May 13 until May 20 was 13.4% (‘COVID-19 weekly,’ 2022). Ultimately, Florida is one of the most affected states by the pandemic, accounting for more than six million cumulative cases.
Morbidity and Mortality
COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease, resulting in high levels of morbidity and mortality. In Florida, the total number of cases since the beginning of the pandemic is 6,058,248 (‘COVID-19 weekly,’ 2022). Excluding the instances of COVID-19 resurgences and the total population of 21,975,117, the approximate morbidity rate is 27.5%. The total number of deaths from the disease in two years is 74,330, resulting in an approximate 0.012% mortality rate. It is a relatively average number among various states in America.
Epidemiologic Study
One of the best methods to investigate the major epidemiological factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic is the case-control observational methodology. It is a method of collecting data by observing affected and non-affected individuals and trying to identify the most significant risk factors and associated conditions with the disease (Munnangi & Boktor, 2022). In other words, case-control studies identify the control group, which is comprised of people without the disease, and analyze their differences from affected patients. At the same time, experts thoroughly examine affected people and investigate the potential risk factors that could lead to the disease (Munnangi & Boktor, 2022). In the case of COVID-19, these factors primarily include recent travels, interaction with other people, and other detection indicators. This research allowed experts to understand the significance of social distancing and isolation as relatively effective countermeasures against COVID-19.
Although case-control studies are effective in identifying the risk factors, experts utilize various observational studies and additional laboratory research to combat COVID-19. Researchers collaborate with governments, institutes, and even ordinary people globally to stop the spread of the disease and implement effective countermeasures. It would have been impossible to drastically reduce the number of cases without the utmost efforts of research laboratories in an attempt to create effective vaccines. Ultimately, while observational studies are practical in investigating epidemiological factors, they should be complemented with other empirical research methods to prevent the spread of the disease.
Methodology Implementation
Consequently, advanced practice nurses can use observational studies in their research to improve health outcomes in the community. While this methodology is generally effective in identifying rare diseases, nurses can use case-control studies to examine the causal relationship between risk factors and illnesses (Munnangi & Boktor, 2022). For instance, the researcher can examine the relationship between harmful lifestyles and emerging diseases by analyzing the control and patient groups. According to Munnangi and Boktor (2022, par. 2), “case-control studies can help identify beneficial or harmful exposures.” If there is a visible trend in the community, the research can use this methodology to separate the control and patient groups, effectively examining the risk factors. Ultimately, the case-control observational approach is one of the essential epidemiology methodologies that can be used at all levels of research to improve health outcomes.
The current situation with the pandemic will leave its mark on human history. It has already become a popular topic of discussion, books, TV-shows, etc. Therefore, it is only natural that someday in the future, a number of documentaries, feature films, or even performances will be created. The purpose of this paper is to imagine how I would make a play out of it.
First of all, a certain genre must be picked; however, I do not think that only one particular style would showcase all the events and the meaning behind them. A soul-crushing feeling of hopelessness, while virus and death are making their march around the globe, will certainly fit the tragedy genre. Nevertheless, there are also some humorous aspects to the satiation, for example, how panic causes people to do ridiculous things like buying out the whole store of toilet paper. Such irrational fears may be exaggerated in the performers’ actions to create a vivid contrast between the catastrophic atmosphere of the situation and the laughable shenanigans of the characters. For this reason, I suggest that realism with subtle hints of comedy and absurdism would be appropriate to demonstrate the current situation. After all, the writers of the absurd genre also were involved in a tragic historical event such as the Second World War. During that time, the future was uncertain as no one knew when death would occur. This is similar to the circumstances of nowadays as it is hard to predict whether someone would catch the infection and if it would be lethal or not. Therefore, a bit of cynicism, which is a peculiar feature of absurdism, would be appropriate for the play.
It also would be interesting to display two sides, where one takes the pandemic too seriously, while the other is not bothered at all. These two opposing parties may be portrayed by characters of different ages, which would also present a social issue of conflict between generations. There is no doubt that people that were born between the 1950s-1980s see the situation in a way that is different from the point of view of young people. In order to make these contrasting sides clash, I would make a family of characters. For instance, one actor can play as a caring mother, who, however, is too afraid that the pandemic will lead to a catastrophe. The panic causes her to stockpile any supplies she could gather, even something that is clearly useless. The other actor can play as a grandfather who is obsessed with conspiracy theories and always manages to come up with a story that is crazier than before. The third character can be a careless young adult who does not takes the pandemic as something serious and continues to attend public gatherings, which will cause severe consequences for him and his family.
Moreover, it would be more interesting to put them into one sheltered room where the family is forced to spend weeks in self-isolation. This scenery would create difficult circumstances for the characters, thus, allowing more conflicts to develop between them. In conclusion, such a play can also present this situation as a teaching moment for the audience. After all, while the disease is spreading rapidly around the globe, the economy is experiencing a crisis, many people are stuck in their homes with relatives. In such conditions, the value of family connections, as well as the importance of listening to each other is evident. Therefore, the play can not only display the pandemic but also teach a lesson to the audience.
The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to impact countries around the globe in fundamentally different ways. While certain nations are experiencing some of the most severe economic downturns, others are shattered by social unrest or face increases in extreme poverty rates (Morrison et al., 2020). Despite it being complex to make transparent international comparisons, there is no doubt that countries have used different strategies to tackle the pandemic-induced challenges.
One of the most piercing issues is the development of a vaccine. The efficacy and timeliness of vaccine implementation and production is related to a country’s vaccine strategy. Many wealthier nations have embraced a nationalistic approach, securing the best outcomes for their citizens and overlooking global concerns (Morrison et al., 2020). Others have operated within international frameworks. This essay will argue that international cooperation is essential during every stage of vaccine development. From clinical trials to vaccine distribution, a global approach is crucial in achieving optimal results in vaccine quality and effectively tackling economic challenges.
Inequality in Distribution
Vulnerable populations may not get immediate access to the vaccine if nations pursue nationalistic policies. In a competitive battle, wealthier countries will have control of which citizens get the vaccines first (Morrison et al., 2020). This is critical at a time when there are over 29 million individuals infected worldwide, and over 900 thousand deaths (“Coronavirus update (Live)”, 2020). Once a vaccine is developed, demand for it will exceed supply (Torjesen, 2020). Wealthier nations have engaged in bilateral deals with pharmaceutical companies so they can supply their population with vaccines without delay (Morrison et al., 2020). By pre-purchasing large amounts of vaccines, countries risk deliberately complicating allocation issues once the vaccine is developed.
The United States, being one of the worst-hit countries, has pursued isolationist policies. After withdrawing from the WHO and suspending funding for the organization, the government has promised to supply its citizens with vaccines (Morrison et al., 2020). The WHO can become a fruitful platform for international policy-making. The current state of affairs will call for timely global cooperation on issues of allocation and equitable access (Torjesen, 2020). Without the United States, cooperation will be hindered and decisions will not be aligned.
The US is not alone in its mission to dominate the potential vaccine market. The United Kingdom has allegedly invested 340 million to purchase vaccine doses by striking deals with six pharmaceutical companies (Torjesen, 2020). Other countries such as Germany, France, Italy and Brazil are following suit by working with manufacturing companies (Morrison et al., 2020). As a result, all nations risk experiencing vaccine shortage or surplus. In this context, experts warn that the vaccine will initially be expensive and more readily available for countries with a higher purchasing power (Torjesen, 2020). Whether or not nations choose to operate within international organizations will directly impact the equal distribution of vaccines when they are available.
Vaccine Efficacy
International collaboration is essential during vaccine approval and testing. Candidate vaccines must be evaluated on a global scale to establish how effective and safe they are. If knowledge between scientists is not shared, this may lead to the development of a weak vaccine (Momtazmanesh et al., 2020). The ongoing competition between countries with many pursuing geopolitical agendas has widened the gap between science, diplomacy and the health sector (Fidler, 2020). Inadequate dialogue, characterized by competitiveness and little or no trust will result in negative outcomes for all parties.
This time like no other demands for countries to work together on vaccine development and implementation. The speed with which scientists shared the initial genomic sequence of the COVID-19 virus was an example of a strong collaborative effort (Momtazmanesh et al., 2020). This allowed researchers to study the virus, its mutation rates and capacity to spread. The WHO was key in uniting global efforts and supplying resources to more than one hundred countries in need (Momtazmanesh et al., 2020). International organizations have played a key role in the management of the pandemic and their guidance is fundamental in vaccine development.
Currently, countries have distanced themselves away from international initiatives. Many have focused on “at-risk financing” of manufacturing companies (Morrison et al., 2020). This behavior can have detrimental effects, as countries risk purchasing weak vaccines that have not gone through all clinical trials (Krause et al., 2020). Governments will falsely assume that the promising vaccine would cause a reduction in infections and consider the population protected (Krause et al., 2020). The public in turn will accept that they are protected, overlook precautionary measures and spread the virus. In order to prevent weak vaccine efficacy, it is vital for the world to collaborate in vaccine development, evaluating candidate vaccines globally.
Uneven Economic Recovery
During times of economic globalization, collaboration in vaccine development is in every state’s national interest. Nationalistic approaches will trigger different recovery speeds for countries’ economies, causing disruptions on a global scale (Aspinall, 2020). Lower income countries are among some of the hardest-hit as they experience rising poverty rates, civil uprisings and famine (Morrison et al., 2020). They will also be the countries that will require foreign aid and more time for a full recovery. Without international assistance and a joint approach to vaccine implementation, they may fall into deeper recessions and experience increased social inequality (Aspinall, 2020). If countries do not negotiate and decide on a strategic and responsible way of allocating the finite supplies of the vaccine, this will lead to a slower economic recovery at the global level.
Increased Interdependence and Groupthink
Critics claim that due to globalization and nations’ interdependency, it is difficult for countries to manage the challenges triggered by the pandemic. When nations address difficulties independently they can plan their resources and focus on domestic problems exclusively (Torjesen, 2020). This standpoint is flawed when it comes to a global health crisis where international collaboration is crucial. Some countries may take decades to recover without foreign aid. Policies created on an international level can help in managing both national crises and those abroad. When it comes to vaccine development, if findings are not shared immediately this may increase virus related deaths.
Furthermore, critics consider that it is precisely due to the richer nations’ investments that so many companies can work on the vaccine simultaneously. Without these separate costly investments, researchers would not be able to work on the vaccines with the urgency that a pandemic requires (Torjesen, 2020). Competition between nations fosters competition between pharmaceutical companies. Nevertheless, speeding up the vaccine process can lead to an ineffective and weak vaccine.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of people worldwide and continues to do so. While governments are quick to make decisions on a national level, the global dimension of the problem is largely overlooked. A wholesome approach is vital in times of a global pandemic when joint action needs to be immediate and produce long-lasting effects. Despite the view that competition and national investments in the search for a vaccine can speed up the development process, countries risk creating an unsuccessful vaccine. Furthermore, when nations choose to monopolize the vaccine market, fair access and distribution become difficult. Lastly, it is hard to disregard the fact that the world is inevitably interconnected. If one nation recovers from the pandemic-induced challenges faster than another they will not be able to advance culturally, economically and politically without global cooperation.
Krause, P., Fleming, T. R., Longini, I., Henao-Restrepo, A. M., Peto, R., Dean, N., Halloran, M., Huang, Y., Fleming, T., Gilbert, P., DeGruttola, V., Janes, H., Krause, P., Longini, I., Nason, M., Peto, R., Smith, P., Riveros, A., Gsell, P., … Henao-Restrepo, A. (2020). COVID-19 vaccine trials should seek worthwhile efficacy.The Lancet, 396(10253), 741-743. Web.
Momtazmanesh, S., Ochs, H. D., Uddin, L. Q., Perc, M., Routes, J. M., Vieira, D. N., Al-Herz, W., Baris, S., Prando, C., Rosivall, L., Latiff, A., Ulrichs, T., Roudenok, V., Becerra, J., Salunke, D. B., Goudouris, E., Condino-Neto, A., Stashchak, A., Kryvenko, O., … Stashchak, M. (2020). All together to fight COVID-19.The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 102(6), 1181-1183. Web.
The COVID-19 pandemic presents a challenge for healthcare systems all over the world. It has severely damaged the medical services of many countries and exposed the significant problems they possess. In that case, telemedicine may be considered a good tool that helps medical organizations react faster to people’s needs and diseases apart from COVID-19. Its implementation may help patients with severe diseases and those who have coronavirus but have no need to go to the hospital due to the light form of the disease. The use of virtual clinic devices will enable doctors to reduce the number of face-to-face contacts with patients who are likely to have COVID-19 and, thus, decrease the risk of being infected.
Background
Virtual clinics make a significant positive contribution to the healthcare system despite the limitations the hospitals may face during their implementation. Apart from that, the system is not been properly studied yet, and, in many cases, it was implemented in a short period due to the quick growth of the COVID-19 contagion ratio. Telemedicine may harm the country’s healthcare system, so it is necessary to regard both its shortcomings and advantages when implementing it.
Aims and Objectives
The present proposal is aimed at exploring the influence of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic on the healthcare system of Saudi Arabia. The paper’s objectives are to analyze the sources and scientific and statistical data from them, establish whether the virtual clinic system positively influences the country’s medical system, and suggest guidelines for further research. In addition, the paper considers Saudi Arabian citizens’ attitudes toward virtual clinics.
Research Questions
The questions of the further research may be formulated the following way:
Are virtual clinics an effective tool for the healthcare system of Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic? How do they help the medical sphere survive this severe challenge?
What is the popularity ratio of telemedicine in the country? Do Saudi Arabian citizens trust the virtual clinic system? Do doctors approve of its implementation?
Literature Review
The aim of the present literature review is to establish which factors are taken into account when analyzing the efficacy of telemedicine in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. First, it is necessary to point out that due to the novelty of the problem, the number of scientific resources specifically Saudi Arabia is strictly limited. Despite that fact, there were found scientific articles on the topic that seem to constitute the relevant database for further research on the topic. They were published from 2020 to 2021 in peer-reviewed medical journals found in PubMed or ResearchGate databases. The sources address not only the healthcare system in general but also more narrow topics. They include primary healthcare or oral medical practice. Some of them also rely on virtual clinics’ popularity ratio among Saudi Arabian citizens.
The Current article status of telehealth in Saudi Arabia during COVID-19 is aimed at exploring the current state of things concerning the role of telemedicine in providing healthcare services in Saudi Arabia during the coronavirus pandemic of 2019-2021. The main objectives of the scientific research concern the generalizing of all the literature sources on the subject of using virtual clinic technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia (Alghamadi et al., 2020). The research question may be formulated as follows: whether telemedicine may be considered an effective means of treatment that will not only be beneficial for the patients but will also help restrain the virus.
Apart from the effectiveness, it is necessary to assess the degree of the citizens’ content with the system. The article Patient satisfaction with virtual clinic during Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in primary healthcare and two other more articles address this issue. The others are titledMeasurement of patient satisfaction with the trend of virtual clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic and Patients’ perceptions and satisfaction with the outpatient telemedicine clinics during the COVID-19 era in Saudi Arabia. All three have the assessment of the Saudi Arabian patients’ content with the virtual clinic system that was popularized in the country after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic as their primary objectives (Alwabili et al., 2021, Thirunavukkarasu et al., 2021). The scientific studies aim to establish whether the patients regard telemedicine as a reliable source of healthcare services and if Saudi Arabian citizens trust the system (Alharbi et al., 2021). The research questions of the studies may be formulated this way: are the patients content with the virtual clinic system, or do they have some concerns regarding the quality of the services provided by the system?
The article Telemedicine among oral medicine practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic and its future impact on the specialty is aimed at establishing the frequency of using telemedicine among dentists in Saudi Arabia during the pandemic. In addition, it is to define potential barriers and problems that prevent the implementation of the method (Al Mohaya et al., 2021). The objectives of the study concern figuring out the possible further consequences of implementing virtual clinic practice among dentists, both positive and negative. The question of the research may be as follows: is telemedicine relevant for oral medicine practitioners?
The article titled Adoption of telemedicine applications among Saudi citizens during COVID-19 pandemic: An alternative health delivery system concerns the investigation of people’s behavior toward the adoption of telemedicine in Saudi Arabia that was boosted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The research objectives concern the establishment of the ratio of Saudi Arabian citizens’ attitudes and the degree of trust towards virtual clinics (Yamin, & Alyoubi, 2020). The research question may be formulated in the following way: what factors influence the telemedicine system in Saudi Arabia? The present six articles may serve as a reliable database for establishing the efficacy of the virtual clinic system in Saudi Arabia since they contain recent and up-to-date information on the issue.
Methodology
Approach
Defining research methodology is crucial for study in any field. It seems that the qualitative approach will be more applicable for further research because it involves the analysis and review of the literature on the topic but not the statistical analysis of the factual data. However, the elements of the quantitative approach may be implemented as well in particular sections of the research if they involve the analysis of statistical information.
Research Design and Settings
When considering the scientific exploration of the impact of telemedicine on Saudi Arabian citizens, it seems relevant to suggest the following research design. It may concern the collection and analysis of the data on the issue from different scientific sources. To fulfill the aim of the study, which is to assess the influence of virtual clinics on the healthcare system of Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic, different aspects of the issue need to be scrutinized carefully. Overall, such points as people’s satisfaction with telemedicine, its impact on the work of healthcare professionals, and the current status of virtual clinics in Saudi Arabia should be examined to provide a profound and detailed analysis.
Sample, Number of Participants, and Sampling Methods
The study may involve the participants if a person who conducts it has an opportunity to speak to Saudi Arabian citizens. If not, the research should have the analysis of actual data provided by the healthcare system researchers as its main objective. Hence, during the process of scientific research, the works of different Saudi Arabian scholars should be considered and examined, and the study should rely on the factual data provided by them. As it was stated previously, on the whole, there were suggested six studies from 2020 to 2021. The main methods of the research, in that case, should first concern the search and collection of scientific articles on the topic of virtual clinics’ influence on Saudi Arabian medicine. Then come the review and analysis of the information obtained during the research materials collection process.
Data Collection
The data should be taken primarily from peer-reviewed medical journals that may be found in medical databases such as ReserchGate or PubMed. Overall, currently, there exist nine hundred twenty-one articles on the topic of telemedicine influence on the healthcare system, but only thirteen of them concern specifically Saudi Arabia. Of these thirteen articles, only six contain a description of the current state of telemedicine in Saudi Arabia as well as people’s and doctors’ attitudes towards its implementation. These factors may be considered crucial when it comes to establishing the influence of virtual clinics on the healthcare system. They not only provide the explanation and confirmation of their efficacy but also regard public opinion on the issue. Hence, the popularity ratio of telemedicine among Saudi Arabian citizens and its efficiency were among the crucial indicators of the system’s vitality.
Instruments and Process of Data Collection
Computer software, the Internet, and medical databases belong to the instruments that may be used for conducting research, specifically for data search and collecting. The data collection methods may concern the online search in medical databases for scholarly articles and further elimination of those that did not fully cover the topic or did not fulfill the study’s aim. Analysis of the corresponding articles and the statistical data they possessed concerns the establishment of the actual influence of the virtual clinic system on healthcare in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the articles were chosen for the purposes of further research concerning different telemedicine-related issues, all of them have one thing in common. They established that the system had become an important tool for the healthcare system during the pandemic. They enable us to consider virtual clinics an effective instrument for providing people with fast and precise medical services.
Data Analysis
After the materials of the research are chosen and carefully proofread, it seems relevant to analyze the data they possess. The analysis should regard such factors as the approval ratio, the safety of the system, the benefits and outcomes for the doctors and patients, the advantages and disadvantages of the virtual clinic system in general. Apart from that, since the research is focused on the medical system of Saudi Arabia, it is necessary to regard the state of healthcare in this particular region. This aspect is extremely important because not every country possesses all the conditions that are necessary for successful implementation and further application of telemedicine although the practice has become usual for many countries.
Ethics of the Research
The present study should not violate any ethical norms or rules related to either human beings or animals. All the materials used throughout the process of research need to comply with the ethical rules and not harm anybody’s dignity. All the results should be published with the consent of the owners, and all the necessary links need to be provided. The study should be free for all people to access and cite.
Conclusion
Further research is aimed at establishing whether a virtual clinic system is an effective tool that helps reduce the load on the medical system during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. The study should be a comparative analysis of the six scholarly journal medical articles for the period from 2020 to 2021. The articles concern different aspects of the issue that enable the author as well as the audience to assess the efficacy of telemedicine in different aspects. Hence, the research should take into account the ratio of patient satisfaction with the virtual clinic system in Saudi Arabia, the advantages and disadvantages of the system, and its efficiency in terms of the pandemic. The results of the study will help establish the viability of telemedicine for Saudi Arabia as well as suggest possible ways for the systems to improve. The research should be free to access and not harm the ethical rules.
References
Alghamadi, S. M., Alqahtani, J. S.,&Aldhahir, A. M. (2020).Current status of telehealth in Saudi Arabia during COVID-19, Journal of Family & Community Medicine, 27(3), pp. 208-211.
Alharbi, K. G. Aldosari, M. N., Alhasaan, A. M., Alshallal, K. A., Altamimi, A. M.,&Altulaihi, B. A. (2021).Patient satisfaction with virtual clinic during Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in primary healthcare, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Journal of Family & Community Medicine, 28(1), pp. 48-54.
Al Mohaya, M.A., Almaziad, M. M., Al-Hamad, K. A.,& Mustafa, M. (2021).Telemedicine among oral medicine practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic and its future impact on the specialty, Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 14, pp. 4369-4378. Web.
Alwabili, A. A., Alotaibi, E. A., AlE’ed, A. A., Alqunibut, I.,& Alotaibi, O. A. (2021).Measurement of patient satisfaction with the trend of virtual clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cureus, 13(6).
Thirunavukkarasu, A., Alotaibi, N. H., Al-Hazmi, A. H., Alenzi, M. J., Alshaalan, Z. M., Alruwaili, M. G., Alruwaili, T. A. M., Alanazi, H.,&Alosaimi, T. H. (2021).Measurement of patient satisfaction with the trend of virtual clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic, Healthcare, 9, p. 1739. Web.
Yamin, M. A. Y. &Alyoubi, B. A. (2020).Adoption of telemedicine applications among Saudi citizens during COVID-19 pandemic: An alternative health delivery system, Journal of Infection and Public Health, 13(12), pp. 1845-1855.
The coronavirus pandemic in 2020 has become a challenge for many countries and a test of the strength of their health systems. Among the threats to national security in the sphere of citizens’ health, the risks of complications of the epidemiological situation against the background of the unfavorable situation in foreign countries for a number of dangerous infectious diseases and the likelihood of new infections caused by unknown pathogens were identified. Consequently, the state must be prepared for the risk of any emergencies, including epidemics, for which S. 3799: Prevent Pandemics Act was adopted.
According to it, measures for the non-specific prevention of coronavirus infection come out in the first place, and, first of all, these are regime-restrictive measures and self-isolation. Non-specific prevention is an activity aimed at preventing the spread of infection (Murray, 2022). It is carried out in relation to the source of infection (a sick person), the mechanism of transmission of the causative agent of infection, as well as a potentially susceptible contingent (protection of persons who are and /or have been in contact with a sick person).
Impact of Bill on Nursing Practice Standard
If the bill passes
If the bill passes, it will affect all 17 ANA Scope standards, including assessment. In the presence of factors indicating a case suspected of a coronavirus infection caused by a new disease, nurses will need to conduct a complex clinical examination, regardless of the type of medical care, to determine the severity of the condition. The diagnosis will be established on the basis of a clinical examination, epidemiological anamnesis data, and laboratory results.
The Nursing practice standard will include a detailed preliminary assessment of all complaints, medical history, and epidemiological history for the presence of new diseases. When collecting an epidemiological history, first of all, the presence of trips will be established 14 days before the first symptoms (Murray, 2022). In addition, nurses will also be required to establish close contact over the past 14 days with persons suspected of being infected with a new disease or persons whose diagnosis has been confirmed laboratory.
If the bill does not pass
If the bill does not pass, the Assessment ANA Scope standard will not be changed. Since quarantine measures were lifted after the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, there will be a return to the previously existing nursing practice standards. Patients with a mild form of a new disease may not be detected when contacting a primary healthcare facility or when calling a team or an ambulance doctor (Shi, 2013). If it is necessary to be medically evacuated by an ambulance team during hospitalization or referral of a patient for diagnostic studies, rapid preliminary testing for a new disease will not be a prerequisite.
Nurses at an assessment will not be provided with disposable personal protective equipment for the upper respiratory tract (mask), gloves, and disposable bathrobes but will use reusable ones. When assessing patients with a suspected course of a new disease in a mild form, there will be no provision for dividing the flow with somatic patients by time. The entrance of such patients will not be made through the zone of infectious patients.
Impact of Bill on Own Nursing Practice
If the bill passes
If the bill had been approved, the organization of work in my nursing practice would have changed in the conditions of admission of a patient with a suspected disease that poses a danger to others. It would be necessary to change the usual procedure when conducting diagnostic, preventive, and anti-epidemic measures. It would be necessary to show increased care in case of detection and admission of a patient with a suspected disease that poses a danger to others. There would be a need to increase the level of theoretical training on issues related to the provision of medical care to patients with a suspected disease that poses a danger to others (Murray, 2022). This would entail the adaptation of existing technological standards, which would significantly reduce the number of errors and inconsistencies, improving the quality of medical services provided to patients with a disease that poses a danger to others.
If the bill does not pass
If the bill is not passed, then the types of medical care and the technologies used in their provision will return to pre-Covid standards. The medical care carried out with the help of specialized organizations of final disinfection will be resumed. Strict laboratory control of the sanitary and hygienic conditions of medical organizations for compliance with the requirements of new standards will be abolished. The organization of admission of patients will be carried out without compliance with social distancing measures and laboratory examination of hospitalized patients. Regular examinations of personnel for the carrier of the new virus will be canceled. There will be no need to carry out the maximum number of medical procedures and nutrition of patients in the wards (Shi, 2013). Nursing practice will not include the specifics of retraining medical workers and creating their reserves. The procedure for issuing electronic sick leaves and prescriptions will be simplified.
Communication Strategies
Based on nursing practice
I might communicate my support for the bill to peers and legislators based on nursing practice. This can be done by speaking at conferences dedicated to nursing research (“Integrity matters,” 2019). Systematically carrying out the process of studying clinical and managerial problems in nursing practice caused by the pandemic, I can make predictions about the positive impact of the approval of this bill on their resolution. In the course of such speeches, I will demonstrate to peers and legislators that S. 3799: Prevent Pandemics Act will make nursing practice more effective in improving patient care and resolving problematic situations caused by new epidemics. In order for this point of view to sound convincing to all stakeholders, information from various scientific sources will be used in the presentation, and general methodological and innovative research methods of work will be applied.
Based on nursing standards
I might communicate my support for this bill to peers and legislators based on nursing standards. This can also be done in the process of communication in professional medical forums. During network communication in messengers, social networks, blogs, forums, video conferences, and e-mail with colleagues, the positive impact of that S. 3799: Prevent Pandemics Act on nursing standards can be emphasized. At the same time, one should be open to both positive and negative opinions regarding the adoption of the law (“Integrity matters,” 2019). Peer feedback on the forums will be emotionally embellished, but it will allow us to see the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments. An advantageous solution would be to provide the opportunity to leave anonymous feedback so that it would be easier for colleagues to express their thoughts (“Integrity matters,” 2019). Thus, it is possible to give a reasoned opinion on the impact of S. 3799: Prevent Pandemics Act on nursing standards, responding to what other medical staff is concerned about.
Based on patient outcome
I might communicate my support for this bill to peers and legislators based on patient outcomes. It is possible to collect patient outcome data from a local hospital to predict the impact of the adoption of S. 3799: Prevent Pandemics Act. To do this, it is necessary to establish target indicators of the activities of medical and preventive institutions and organize the collection of reporting data on planned indicators. Implementation of a system for collecting and processing statistics of medical institutions in favor of the beneficial effects of S. 3799: Prevent Pandemics Act on the patient outcome can be built on the basis of the International Standard of Electronic Medical Records (ISO) (Shi, 2013). Next, modeling of therapeutic business processes should be carried out to identify the impact of the planned actions on the number of recovered patients.
Based on the ISO reference model, an information system architecture can be developed to automate the process of collecting statistical indicators. The formation of planned indicators for the organization of their collection from the information systems of medical institutions is necessary for the calculation of target performance indicators. Based on the analysis of medical statistics data, reporting should be further formulated as evidence of the positive impact of S. 3799: Prevent Pandemics Act on patient outcomes.
Community Impact of the Bill
The adoption of the bill will have a positive impact on the community in the long term, as it will mitigate the consequences in case of a new pandemic. If the number of deaths starts to increase in the community, it will be a signal that a new variant of the virus has appeared (Shi, 2013). Since there is a real threat of such a development of events, it is necessary to introduce restrictions provided for by S. 3799: Prevent Pandemics Act, for example, to return to mass testing. Thus, it will be possible to prevent a new source of infection and slow down the spread of the new virus among the residents of the community.
Coronavirus has significantly impacted the general health status of the planet’s population for two main reasons. One of them is the virus itself, as it negatively influences people’s organisms, and the other is the difficulties related to maintaining favorable health condition in the pandemic situation. Thus, it is imperative to stay physically active and perform various exercises to keep one’s body in proper shape, improve organism’s immunity and reduce the chances of being diseased.
COVID-19 causes particular challenges associated with maintaining a physically active lifestyle. According to Shariat et al. (2020), the leading risk factor of virus transmission is people’s proximity to one another in groups, meaning that public gatherings are dangerous. Thus, public gyms and training grounds may not be a proper place to exercise as they do not always have enough space to keep the necessary social distance. However, it is even more crucial nowadays to remain physically active as the coronavirus keeps developing new variants, which means regular training can prevent potential issues and assist in keeping people fit and healthy. The corresponding exercises could include push-ups against the wall, single-leg step-ups on stairs, shoulder lateral raises, jumping rope, or simple walking (Shariat et al., 2020). Doing those can help people keep active and healthy during the quarantine.
Overall, staying physically active is an essential part of people’s lives, and its significance has grown due to COVID-19. It has brought many challenges to physical training and made it even more important to pay attention to body shape and health condition. Doing aerobic exercises and strength training can help people stay physically active, improve their health, and reduce the chances of getting some disease.
“How epidemiology has shaped the COVID pandemic” is an article that was published on January 27, 2021, in the Nature online magazine. In the article, the authors discuss how the first and the following clinical trials and scientists’ assumptions impacted the spread of the COVID-19 virus and changed the reaction strategies of governments worldwide (“How epidemiology has shaped,” 2021). This paper aims to discuss how COVID-19 epidemiology is a great example of the cooperation potential in the work of social, healthcare, and political professionals.
Most importantly, the article reminds us how the decision to make people start wearing masks was made based on the scientific recommendations that later proved to be valid after the observational epidemiological trials during the following months. Importantly, in this case, the scholars did not need to specifically gather the participants, since the virus was spreading in real-life conditions. The decision to start separating people through the lockdowns also first came as an assumption, and then was proven in practice.
Nurses all over the world were eagerly waiting for new scientific discoveries. These discoveries followed later in 2021 when the first vaccine was developed for the first variants of the virus. The vaccination campaign allowed to stop the spread of the virus, and nurses worked closely together with the scientists, doing their best to deliver the doses to the population in time and ensure the maximal coverage of the population by vaccines. Many intervention studies were held afterward to test the vaccines (Shanet, 2022). Today, further clinical trials are required to prevent the spread of new types of the virus.
Thus, it was discussed, how the COVID-19 epidemiology is a great example of the cooperation potential of the society. The further discussion can feature the topics of whether it was ethical to test the vaccines on volunteers, how the politicians, scientists, and healthcare practitioners can better cooperate in the future, and what main mistakes were made in facing the challenges brought by the virus. The potential of epidemiology in stopping epidemics should also be discussed in wider circles.
Africa: Vulnerable Populations in the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world and especially the health care sphere since its start. It has affected all countries and challenged the national and international systems. From its beginning, COVID-19 disproportionally impacted countries with scarce resources and lacking access to medication and prevention methods. In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO, 2021) identified that most cases of COVID-19 in African countries went undetected by medical professionals. Countries under investigation had and still have limited testing abilities. Nachega et al. (2021) support these findings and argue that researchers based in Africa lack access to laboratory testing and sequencing to detect new strains on time. Moreover, as many of these nations are low-income, they may not get vaccines without outside help. The WHO and other organizations have called for international support and volunteers to deliver vaccines to people living in African countries to prevent the spread and lower the rates of fatal cases.
A Country’s Response to the Pandemic
One of the countries that were able to contain the infection’s spread early due to its resources was Finland. In 2020, after the first cases were reported, Finland became one of the nations with exemplary results in dealing with COVID-19 (Tiirinki et al., 2020). Finland’s health care system is nationalized and decentralized – local authorities are responsible for the system’s financial management. The country’s government quickly implemented a new policy of social distancing, while several clinics changed their focus to serve patients with respiratory symptoms. However, according to Tiirinki et al. (2020), the country did not have a separate government agency for handling such major crises. The country had to declare a state of emergency for a quick response. Nevertheless, due to sufficient funding from citizens, several income streams, low population numbers, and a strong distancing policy, Finland was well-equipped to handle its first cases of COVID-19.
Lessons Learned: COVID-19 and the Spanish Flu
First responses to COVID-19 and people’s reactions to the subsequent waves of the infection show which lessons could be learned for the next potential pandemic. For example, Summers et al. (2020) analyze two countries, Taiwan and New Zealand, and their reactions to the outbreak. Taiwan reacted quickly due to its proximity to China and the history of past pandemics. All arriving individuals were screened for symptoms, and the country restricted non-residents from entering (Summers et al., 2020). Moreover, quarantine policies were put in place, while large gatherings were prohibited. Therefore, the country acted before the infection could spread widely, avoiding a massive lockdown in the first stages. New Zealand, in contrast, has to instate a full lockdown – but its strict policy on arrival and testing was similar to those in Taiwan. Summers et al. (2020) conclude that immediate action is a vital lesson that has to be learned by all governments. The decision to implement preventive measures and implement technology can save lives before the infection spreads.
The COVID-19 pandemic is not the first outbreak that affected millions of people. Approximately a century ago, several countries encountered influenza, otherwise known as the Spanish Flu. According to Saqr and Wasson (2020), the lessons from this epidemic were largely ignored, as it was already known that social distancing and masks were effective against spreading the infection. Moreover, older works wrote about lockdown as a measure to prevent mass infection, but several countries did not follow this advice in time (Munnoli, et al., 2020). Thus, it is vital to continue disseminating information about pandemic responses proven to be effective in the cases of both epidemics.
Nachega, J. B., Sam-Agudu, N. A., Masekela, R., van der Zalm, M. M., Nsanzimana, S., Condo, J., Ntoumi, F., Rabie, H., Kruger, M., Wiysonge, C., Ditekemena, J., Chirimwami, R., Ntakwinja, M., Mukwege, D., Noormahomed, E., Paleker, M., Mahomed, H., Tamfum, J., Zumla., A., & Suleman, F. (2021). Addressing challenges to rolling out COVID-19 vaccines in African countries. The Lancet Global Health, 9(6), e746-e748.
Saqr, M., & Wasson, B. (2020). COVID-19: Lost opportunities and lessons for the future. International Journal of Health Sciences, 14(3), 4-6.
One of the central problems that continues to affect the world order today significantly is the COVID-19 pandemic. Originating in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the coronavirus infection has forced national governments to impose social distance restrictions, ban air travel, and implement strict quarantine measures for the second year in a row. Although COVID-19 has weakened markedly with the emergence of the Omicron strain, its contagiousness has increased, causing the world to experience new pandemic waves once again. As such, the choice of this news topic is exciting to discuss, especially in light of our course content.
The current agenda
The current COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic agenda is markedly different from what was relevant for 2020. Whereas early news reports focused on prevention advocacy and coverage of hospital bed shortages, the most recent news articles, by contrast, place COVID-19 in a socioeconomic and political framework to assess reciprocal impact. Meanwhile, the issue of vaccination as a mode of prevention has increasingly been explored by news portals in terms of civil rights and infringement of liberties. It may seem that a large number of people have either already been sickened or have lost their panicked fear of being infected, as they observe that the actual effects of COVID-19 are proving to be not as frightening as they seemed at the beginning of the pandemic. Thus, on the spectrum of coronavirus infection, the focus has clearly shifted from personal health and medical issues to topics of public welfare and civil rights recognition.
Ethical responsibility
Related to the aspects of personal social responsibility studied is an ethical responsibility for one’s own actions. As bearers of moral values, people may do right or wrong, but in either case, they are responsible for their own actions. To see how this relates to the current topic, I suggest looking at the following short excerpt from a news summary.
PCR tests and antibody tests
Probably all of us have encountered PCR tests and antibody tests that do not inspire confidence. Such products may be sold in supermarkets and pharmacies, but they do not seem to be as reliable as lab tests. Ultimately, no airline will accept home test results as proof of health because such tests can be easily faked. Faking tests can be done by manufacturers to save money or by buyers to deceive the public: no matter, either way, it involves anti-morality. As the video says, a sick individual with a false-negative test can cause harm to others, which can lead to their death. Thus, this ethics of own reasoning in synthesis with personal responsibility also applies to the COVID-19 problem.
Importance of wearing masks
A news article from NBC News talks about how wearing masks can help in the fight against a pandemic. One of the sub-themes of this piece is the coverage of Americans’ anxiety and stress over the two-year pandemic and the strict necessity of wearing masks in connection with it (Edwards, 2022). Indeed, medical masks have already become part of the daily practice of people around the world, and a general rejection would mean victory over COVID-19. However, many individuals refuse to use personal protective equipment in favor of their personal needs. Because of this, incidentally, the number of scandals on airplanes is increasing because without each passenger wearing a mask, planes are not allowed to take off (Levenson, 2022).
The topic raised by NBC News reveals the issue of personal responsibility to oneself and to society, as wearing a mask, according to the CDC, has a proven track record of effectiveness (Edwards, 2020). Each individual has the moral right to determine whether he or she is willing to take responsibility for his or her life through mask-wearing but cannot go against public laws. In other words, when individuals refuse to wear masks (whether they are vaccinated or not), they put others at risk. This raises issues of infringing on the freedoms of other individuals and intentionally harming them. Consequently, individuals have a social responsibility to wear a mask in order to work together to combat the active spread of COVID-19.
The problem of forced vaccination
Meanwhile, the problem of forced vaccination against coronavirus infection raises questions about the influence of power. One of the fundamental freedoms of any individual is the absolute responsibility for one’s own life if capable. In other words, no one may compel an individual to commit acts against his will unless such acts threaten national security. Encouraged by the desire for public health, national governments have imposed mandatory vaccination regulations on an increasing number of categories of the population; naturally, this raises ethical questions about the ability of authorities to influence the private lives of individuals in this way.
This is particularly evident in the protest by truckers in Canada who have expressed dissatisfaction with the vaccination law. A news article describes Canadian truckers protesting against the strengthening of government power over civil society because they expect that “things will never go back to normal, they are being ganged up on by the government, the media, Big Tech, Big Pharma” (Panreck, 2022, para. 7). This example reflects the problem of resistance to authority and opposition to an opinion that is studied in the course. However, it is difficult to call either side of the conflict right because both truckers (like all anti-vaxxers) and governments have a fairly reasonable motivation for their opinions.
Government support
Any attempt by the government to support national health care may not seem entirely fair. The authorities in many countries were totally unprepared for the pandemic, causing health care systems to fail at the beginning of COVID-19. The high number of deaths, the shortage of medicines, and the lack of adequate information undermined people’s trust in the authorities. However, the action of the authorities to protect public health can be justified by the increasing media coverage of the health risks of COVID-19. From a biological point of view, as Nature (2022) writes, having suffered COVID-19 increases the risk of developing dangerous effects, among them cardiovascular disease. Consequently, ignoring preventive action and effective treatment measures to contain the problem now could lead to exacerbation of chronic disease in the near future.
The issue of pollution
The impact of COVID-19 on ecosystems is meaningfully broader than meets the eye. To understand what we are talking about, let us watch the following short excerpt from the BBC documentary:
As you can see, the pandemic problem continues to affect non-obvious areas. The need to wear masks all the time leads to the problem of their improper disposal, causing ecosystems to suffer. Studies show that plastic particles from medical masks get into aquatic animals, leading to mass extinctions (City University of Hong Kong, 2022). The problem is exacerbated by the intensification of globalization, with tourists traveling around the world, exacerbating the problem of pollution in natural areas isolated from megacities.