Practice operations
Use of media platforms to eliminate the COVID-19 infodemic
We were shocked when we read a tweet in December 2020 from a health care worker stating, “My biggest concern is the lack of data and the quick development time. Feels like we are a bunch of guinea pigs” in reference to the new COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr. Roozehra Khan
I reflected back on the last pandemic in 2009, H1N1, and remembered when the new vaccine developed in 174 days was first released to pregnant women and children after phase 3 trials. How did we get here? What do we do to fix it?
Dr. Humayun Anjum
This misinformation is labeled as the “COVID-19 infodemic.” In the last year, we have seen the media, more specifically social platforms, quickly spread medical misinformation. In the book “Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Some Die,” the authors described core elements that make an idea “sticky.” Use of those exact same sticky techniques can be used to circulate accurate information and to halt the spread of this infodemic. Although, numerous media companies, including Twitter, are making an effort to remove the false content from their platforms, their efforts require a lengthy process and are delayed. Therefore, it is crucial for the public health figures and community at large in partnership with various national organizations to establish a robust connection with the social platforms in a dynamic and timely fashion to help spread the verified information across social media, digital and traditional media outlets.
The UN has launched an initiate called “Verified.” This is a worldwide effort to help individuals spread reliable information regarding COVID-19 to their friends and families via social platforms as various media platforms and businesses have partnered with Verified. Also, we encourage our members to access the CHEST COVID-19 resource center and benefit from the various clinical and practice management tools along with validated patient information materials.
Roozera Khan, DO, FCCP
Steering Committee Member
Humayun Anjum, MD, FCCP
Chair
References
1. The Lancet Infectious Diseases-Editorial. The COVID-19 infodemic. Lancet Infect Dis. 2020;20(8):875.
2. Tangcharoensathien V, et al. Framework for managing the COVID-19 infodemic: methods and results of an online, crowdsourced WHO technical consultation. J Med Internet Res. 2020;22e19659.
3. Verified. https://shareverified.com/en/about. Accessed Feb 18, 2021.
Transplant
COVID-19 + lung transplant
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a dilemma for lung transplantation, with a new group of patients with refractory respiratory failure secondary to the viral illness. As transplant centers worldwide receive referrals for COVID-19 related respiratory failure, information regarding evaluation, listing, and posttransplant care continues to be published, but further research will be needed to care for this complex population.
Dr. Clauden Louis
The first lung transplant for COVID-19 in the United States occurred at Northwestern Hospital on June 5th, 2020,and was publicized for its innovativeness. Information from their three lung transplants completed thus far includes information regarding pathologic findings of the explanted lung tissue; pulmonary fibrosis was the dominant feature, suggesting COVID-19-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome with prolonged time supported by mechanical support may only be survivable with the use of lung transplant (Bharat, et al. Sci Transl Med. 2020;12(574):eabe4282).
Dr. Grant Turner
Lung transplant in the setting of COVID-19 fibrosis increases surgical complexity as well, with case reports of dense adhesions and distortion of regular surgical planes (Bharat, et al. Sci. Transl. Med. 2020; Lang, et al. Lancet Respir Med. 2020;8:1057). Recognizing the difficulty with deciding to use transplantation after an infectious disease, The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplant (ISHLT) has created guidelines regarding indications for transplantation (ISHLT.org). Continued research will be necessary to identify those at the highest likelihood for success from transplantation, preparation for the increased complexity, and long-term outcomes. Further information is available in a CHEST webinar titled “Lung Transplantation in the Era of COVID-19” .
Clauden Louis, MD
Grant Turner, MD
Fellows-in-Training NetWork Members