Changes to pediatric gastroenterology practice during the COVID-19 pandemic and lessons learned: an international survey of division and group heads

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented disruptions to medical services and presented numerous challenges for gastroenterology division and group leaders. They have had to respond and adapt rapidly as the pandemic evolves to implement changes to care delivery while maintaining clinical practice, patients’ health, and the physical and mental health of staff. The scope of practice change across inpatient and outpatient services and its financial implications, as well as leaders’ priorities during reopening and the lessons learned, remain largely unexplored. To address this gap, we aimed to conduct a survey of pediatric gastroenterology division and group heads (DGHs) about their response to the pandemic to understand its impact on pediatric Gastroenterology Elsevier Changes to Pediatric Gastroenterology Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Lessons Learned: An International Survey of Division and Group Heads Sharon S. Tam, Joseph A. Picoraro, [...], and International Pediatric Gastroenterology COVID-19 Alliance Additional article information Associated Data Supplementary Materials The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented disruptions to medical services and presented numerous challenges for gastroenterology division and group leaders. They have had to respond and adapt rapidly as the pandemic evolves to implement changes to care delivery while maintaining clinical practice, patients’ health, and the physical and mental health of staff. The scope of practice change across inpatient and outpatient services and its financial implications, as well as leaders’ priorities during reopening and the lessons learned, remain largely unexplored. To address this gap, we aimed to conduct a survey of pediatric gastroenterology division and group heads (DGHs) about their response to the pandemic to understand its impact on pediatric gastroenterology practice and inform future strategies during periods of resurgence. This is the first study, to our knowledge, to provide a comprehensive, international view of the pandemic from the perspective of physician leaders.