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A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Coronaviruses (CoV) and COVID-19 Pandemic".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 August 2023) | Viewed by 20906

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Charles Shey Wiysonge

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Guest Editor

Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town 7501, South Africa
Interests: vaccination; COVID-19

Prof. Dr. Nkengafac Villyen Motaze

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Medicine Usage South Africa, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
Interests: Infectious disease epidemiology; maternal and child health; vaccine preventable diseases

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic radically changed several aspects of daily life. In the majority of countries, health systems faced unprecedented pressure, due to the morbidity and mortality that resulted from COVID-19. This pandemic occurred at a time when countries worldwide were dealing with a number of public health priorities, including vaccine-preventable diseases (some of which were targeted for elimination/eradication), tropical diseases (mostly in low-income countries), and non-communicable diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed a roadmap to eliminate and eradicate neglected tropical diseases (NTD) by 2030, and several other global initiatives are currently underway.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a shift in focus and resources towards responding to the pandemic. The advances made in previous years, regarding several conditions of public health importance, including tropical diseases, could have been lost. As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its third year, with decreasing incidence of cases worldwide, it is important to assess the impact of tropical diseases since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also vital to present evidence on the effectiveness of control efforts for diseases of public health importance, especially if these interventions incorporate a holistic approach, including control measures for COVID-19.

It is our pleasure to invite you to submit your articles to this Special Issue, which is aimed at disseminating evidence on the interplay between COVID-19 and pre-existing public health priorities.

This Special Issue aims to disseminate data on the progress made in disease control efforts since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes interventions that were adapted to comply with the COVID-19 restrictions and interventions that were tailored to incorporate measures against COVID-19.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. The research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Tropical diseases;
Vaccine-preventable diseases;
Non-communicable diseases;
Injury and violence.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Charles Shey Wiysonge
Prof. Dr. Nkengafac Villyen Motaze
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2
long COVID
tropical diseases
neglected tropical diseases
disease control

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 5132 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Facing the Shadow Pandemic: Correlation and Trend Analyses of Violence Reports from Women to the Italian National Anti-Violence Number during 2021

by Antonio Del Casale, Jessica Pileri, Giorgio Veneziani, Antonio Napolitano, Martina Nicole Modesti, Barbara Adriani, Benedetta Barchielli, Giovanna Parmigiani, Francesco Grassi, Christian Napoli, Stefano Ferracuti and Carlo Lai

Healthcare 2023, 11(16), 2272; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11162272 - 11 Aug 2023

Viewed by 686

Abstract

Objectives: To help to tackle gender-based violence against women in the aftermath of COVID-19 or other potential crisis situations, as recommended by the European Institute for Gender Equality, the present study aims to investigate the relationship between calls to the National Anti-violence Number (NAN) and the socio-sanitary pandemic factors during 2021, a period in which the scenario changed due to containment measures that gradually allowed women to emerge from the condition of isolation. In addition, the present work aims to identify significant changes in the number of calls to NAN during the progression of the pandemic in 2021. Methods: Using Italian Civil Protection Department data on the socio-sanitary pandemic factors (defined by daily number of cases, swabs, deaths, hospitalizations, dismissions, intensive care unit hospitalizations, people isolated at home, and quarantine after 15 and 30 days) and NAN data. Correlation analyses, a joinpoint regression analysis, and Granger causality tests were performed. Results: The number of calls correlated with the daily number of cases, swabs, deaths, hospitalizations, dismissions, intensive care unit hospitalizations, and quarantine after 15 and 30 days. The identified joinpoints showed significant changes in the number of daily anti-violence calls during the year. Furthermore, we found evidence of a significant causality between daily hospitalizations, daily home quarantined, daily dismissed patients, and calls to NAN. Conclusions: The results underline the influence of containment measures on the increased access to NAN, suggesting the need for a greater implementation of social and psychological support services in other potential crisis situations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Priorities and COVID-19)

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9 pages, 259 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Burnout Levels in Nurses and Associated Factors during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Cross-Sectional Study

by Karolina Filipska-Blejder, Anna Antczak-Komoterska, Magdalena Kostecka, Beata Haor, Agnieszka Królikowska, Renata Jabłońska, Lech Grzelak, Mariusz Wysokiński, Wiesław Fidecki, Adam Wiśniewski and Robert Ślusarz

Healthcare 2023, 11(14), 2032; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11142032 - 16 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1279

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that sudden changes in the nature of nursing work and their work environment related to the COVID-19 pandemic have affected the professional experience of nurses, and consequently led to an increase in professional burnout in this professional group. Thus, the aim of the study was to measure occupational burnout among nurses working during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. A cross-sectional study was conducted with pediatric and surgery female nurses (N = 110, mean age 51 ± 6.92) from the Provincial Specialist Hospital in Włocławek, Poland. The participants completed the Link Burnout Questionnaire (LBQ) and the Socio-Demographic Questionnaire (SDQ). The data were analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation and Mann–Whitney U test. The study showed that high burnout affected 6.4% of nurses. The level of professional burnout for the subscales of psychophysical exhaustion, relationship deterioration, professional inefficacy and disappointment was 28.2%, 26.4%, 11.8% and 13%, respectively (mean score: 19.85 ± 6.51, 18.03 ± 5.15, 13.74 ± 4.07 and 17.61 ± 5.85, respectively). The results show that surgical nurses were statistically more likely to experience professional burnout. In sum, burnout among nurses has become a serious problem, especially considering the COVID-19 pandemic, which is why it is so important to continue research in this area. Hospital management needs to take urgent action to address the systemic and professional issues that contribute to the suboptimal mental health of nurses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Priorities and COVID-19)

12 pages, 613 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics of Frailty in Perimenopausal Women with Long COVID-19

by Alba Navas-Otero, Andrés Calvache-Mateo, Javier Martín-Núñez, Irene Calles-Plata, Araceli Ortiz-Rubio, Marie Carmen Valenza and Laura López López

Healthcare 2023, 11(10), 1468; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11101468 - 18 May 2023

Viewed by 1206

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of risk factors for frailty between perimenopausal women with long COVID-19 syndrome, women having successfully recovered from COVID-19, and controls from the community. Women with a diagnosis of long COVID-19 and at least one symptom related to the perimenopausal period, women who had successfully recovered from COVID-19, and healthy women of comparable age were included in this study. Symptom severity and functional disability were assessed with the COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale, and the presence of frailty was evaluated considering the Fried criteria. A total of 195 women were included in the study, distributed over the three groups. The long COVID-19 group showed a higher prevalence of perimenopausal symptoms and impact of COVID-19. Statistically significant differences were found between the long COVID-19 group and the other two groups for the frailty variables. When studying the associations between frailty variables and COVID-19 symptom impact, significant positive correlations were found. Perimenopausal women with long COVID-19 syndrome present more frailty-related factors and experience a higher range of debilitating ongoing symptoms. A significant relationship is shown to exist between long COVID-19 syndrome-related disability and symptoms and frailty variables, resulting in an increased chance of presenting disability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Priorities and COVID-19)

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12 pages, 329 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effectiveness of and Inequalities in COVID-19 Epidemic Control Strategies in Hungary: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

by Rahul Naresh Wasnik, Ferenc Vincze, Anett Földvári, Anita Pálinkás and János Sándor

Healthcare 2023, 11(9), 1220; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11091220 - 25 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1456

Abstract

Introduction: Before the mass vaccination, epidemiological control measures were the only means of containing the COVID-19 epidemic. Their effectiveness determined the consequences of the COVID-19 epidemic. Our study evaluated the impact of sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors on patient-reported epidemiological control measures. Methods: A nationwide representative sample of 1008 randomly selected adults were interviewed in person between 15 March and 30 May 2021. The prevalence of test-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection was 12.1%, of testing was 33.7%, and of contact tracing among test-confirmed infected subjects was 67.9%. The vaccination coverage was 52.4%. Results: According to the multivariable logistic regression models, the occurrence of infection was not influenced by sociodemographic and lifestyle factors or by the presence of chronic disease. Testing was more frequent among middle-aged adults (aOR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.10–2.13) and employed adults (aOR = 2.06, 95% CI 1.42–3.00), and was more frequent among adults with a higher education (aOR_secondary = 1.93, 95% CI 1.20–3.13; aOR_tertiary = 3.19, 95% CI 1.81–5.63). Contact tracing was more frequently implemented among middle-aged (aOR41-7y = 3.33, 95% CI 1.17–9.45) and employed (aOR = 4.58, 95% CI 1.38–15.22), and those with chronic diseases (aOR = 5.92, 95% CI 1.56–22.47). Positive correlation was observed between age groups and vaccination frequency (aOR41-70y = 2.94, 95% CI 2.09–4.15; aOR71+y = 14.52, 95% CI 7.33–28.77). Higher than primary education (aOR_secondary = 1.69, 95% CI 1.08–2.63; aOR_tertiary = 4.36, 95% CI 2.46–7.73) and the presence of a chronic disease (aOR = 2.58, 95% CI 1.75–3.80) positively impacted vaccination. Regular smoking was inversely correlated with vaccination (aOR = 0.60; 95% CI 0.44–0.83). Conclusions: The survey indicated that testing, contact tracing, and vaccination were seriously influenced by socioeconomic position; less so by chronic disease prevalence and very minimally by lifestyle. The etiological role of socioeconomic inequalities in epidemic measure implementation likely generated socioeconomic inequality in COVID-19-related complication and death rates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Priorities and COVID-19)

23 pages, 1094 KiB

Open AccessArticle

What Factors Will Influence Chinese International Traveling for Leisure in the Post-COVID-19 Era: Role of Health Priorities and Health-Related Information Literacy

by Saba Batool Wadhar, Riffat Shahani, Rongting Zhou, Ahmad Nabeel Siddiquei, Qing Ye and Fahad Asmi

Healthcare 2023, 11(3), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11030315 - 20 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2260

Abstract

China used to be the world’s leading nation in terms of international (outward) tourism till the COVID-19 outbreak. However, due to the COVID-19 crisis, several new macro and micro-level factors might affect their international (outward) traveling behavior. The purpose of the current research was to examine the avoidance of international traveling for leisure in the Chinese population. The goal of the study was to highlight the importance of information self-efficacy and digital literacy as the key factors influencing tourists’ traveling readiness. To achieve the goal, the study adapted the quantitative instruments from existing sources to map media exhaustion, information overload, and perceived health concerns, i.e., perceived effectiveness of health-protective measures, fear of new possible outbreaks, and pandemic crisis at source and destination. Chinese citizens’ opinions were collected during the third quarter of the year 2022. Specifically, the quantitative survey from China collected a total number of 1308 respondents. This study used the statistical analysis software SPSS to analyze collected data. The findings conclude that the role of media is pivotal to shaping and predicting future trends in tourism preferences, perception of protective measures against COVID-19, and perceived seriousness of the pandemic crisis in the Chinese population. In addition, technology readiness (as hard self-efficacy) and health-related information literacy (soft self-efficacy) are critical to cope with the dark aspects of information exhaustion, overload, and pandemic seriousness in the post-truth era. The study is unique, as it examines the role of the seriousness of the pandemic at its source and destination and fear of new outbreaks simultaneously, underlining the potential future of immersive tourism (i.e., virtual reality, augmented reality, or mixed reality-based tourism). This study has drawn interesting theoretical and practical implications for researchers, policymakers, and academicians. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Priorities and COVID-19)

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17 pages, 1003 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Knowledge, Perception, Experience and Phobia toward Corticosteroids Use among the General Public in the Era of COVID-19: A Multinational Study

by Muna Barakat, Mohamed Hassan Elnaem, Amani Al-Rawashdeh, Bayan Othman, Sarah Ibrahim, Doaa H. Abdelaziz, Anas O. Alshweiki, Zelal Kharaba, Diana Malaeb, Nabeel Kashan Syed, Abdulqadir J. Nashwan, Mohammed Fathelrahman Adam, Reem Alzayer, Mohammad Saleh Albarbandi, Rana K. Abu-Farha, Malik Sallam, Yasmeen Barakat and Noha O. Mansour

Healthcare 2023, 11(2), 255; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11020255 - 13 Jan 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3696

Abstract

Background: Corticosteroids play a significant role in managing the vast majority of inflammatory and immunologic conditions. To date, population-based studies on knowledge and attitudes concerning corticosteroids are scarce. This study aims to comprehensively assess knowledge, perception, experience and phobia toward corticosteroid use among the general population in the era of COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional self-administrated questionnaire was used to collect the data from 6 countries. Knowledge and corticophobia scores, descriptive statistics and logistic regression were computed. Results: A total of 2354 participants were enrolled in this study; the majority were females (61.6%) with an average age of 30. Around 61.9% had been infected previously with COVID-19, and about one-third of the participants had experience with corticosteroid use. The mean knowledge score was relatively satisfactory (8.7 ± 4.5 out of 14), and Corticophobia ranked a high score in all countries. Age, female gender, and history of COVID-19 were positively correlated with developing corticophobia. Conclusion: Our study highlights that the general knowledge about steroids was satisfactory. However, the phobia toward its use upon indication is high. Therefore, enhancing awareness and providing essential counseling regarding the rational use of corticosteroids may reduce corticophobia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Priorities and COVID-19)

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15 pages, 286 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of COVID-19 on Physical Activity Patterns of Dental Students: A Multinational Survey

by Sameer Badri AL-Mhanna, Wan Syaheedah Wan Ghazali, Mahaneem Mohamed, Roshan Noor Mohamed, Mubashir Baig Mirza, Syed Nahid Basheer, Suraj Arora, Hafeez Abiola Afolabi, Yahkub Babatunde Mutalub, Mohammed Dauda Goni and Abdulrahman M. Sheikh

Healthcare 2022, 10(11), 2140; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10112140 - 27 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1232

Abstract

Background: The authorities of the world had to take extraordinary containment measures due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic spreading across the globe. The only way to stay active during the pandemic was at-home physical activity (PA). The current study evaluates how these preventative measures impacted the PA and well-being of students. Methods: This study is multicentral and was conducted in Malaysia, India, Cambodia, and Saudi Arabia; participants were recruited from four different regions to answer the online questionnaire provided via a link shared using their personal WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Twitter social media. Results: The means of vigorous, moderate, and light PA (min/day) between the active and inactive groups were significantly different (p = 0.001, 0.007, and 0.001), respectively. In comparison with pre-COVID-19, the participants reported that it became more challenging to engage in regular exercise since the onset of social distance, associated with a lack of motivation followed by “less confidence”, “less enjoyment”, “less support, and fewer opportunities to engage in exercise”; moreover, it was “difficult to maintain close relationships” and “hard to voice their options on contentious matters” (p = 0.001). Public health measures affected the PA and well-being of active and inactive students; this demonstrates that health promotion strategies aimed at enhancing levels of PA in inactive students may be necessary to improve students’ well-being. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Priorities and COVID-19)

10 pages, 537 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Early Oxygen Treatment Measurements Can Predict COVID-19 Mortality: A Preliminary Study

by Yosi Levi, Dan Yamin, Tomer Brandes, Erez Shmueli, Tal Patalon, Asaf Peretz, Sivan Gazit and Barak Nahir

Healthcare 2022, 10(6), 1146; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10061146 - 20 Jun 2022

Viewed by 1516

Abstract

Halting the rapid clinical deterioration, marked by arterial hypoxemia, is among the greatest challenges clinicians face when treating COVID-19 patients in hospitals. While it is clear that oxygen measures and treatment procedures describe a patient’s clinical condition at a given time point, the potential predictive strength of the duration and extent of oxygen supplementation methods over the entire course of hospitalization for a patient death from COVID-19 has yet to be assessed. In this study, we aim to develop a prediction model for COVID-19 mortality in hospitals by utilizing data on oxygen supplementation modalities of patients. We analyzed the data of 545 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 complications admitted to Assuta Ashdod Medical Center, Israel, between 7 March 2020, and 16 March 2021. By solely analyzing the daily data on oxygen supplementation modalities in 182 random patients, we could identify that 75% (9 out of 12) of individuals supported by reservoir oxygen masks during the first two days died 3–30 days following hospital admission. By contrast, the mortality rate was 4% (4 out of 98) among those who did not require any oxygenation supplementation. Then, we combined this data with daily blood test results and clinical information of 545 patients to predict COVID-19 mortality. Our Random Forest model yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) score on the test set of 82.5%, 81.3%, and 83.0% at admission, two days post-admission, and seven days post-admission, respectively. Overall, our results could essentially assist clinical decision-making and optimized treatment and management for COVID-19 hospitalized patients with an elevated risk of mortality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Priorities and COVID-19)

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21 pages, 1563 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Scoping Review on COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Community and Factors Fostering Its Refusal

by Jyotsna Needamangalam Balaji, Sreenidhi Prakash, Ashish Joshi and Krishna Mohan Surapaneni

Healthcare 2023, 11(2), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11020245 - 13 Jan 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2781

Abstract

Background: The ramifications of the existing crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic are sensed in all walks of life. Among the various efforts made to curb the spread of this novel infection, the development of COVID-19 vaccines had a profound role in flattening the pandemic curve. Even though the rapid vaccine drive received a highly welcoming response among people, the reluctance and ignorance of a part of the population towards available safe vaccines stand as impediments to achieving the desired outcome. The LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual) communities are the least studied groups in this regard. Objective: The purpose of this study is to extensively review and report on COVID-19 vaccine uptake and refusal among the LGBTQIA+ population and enumerate the factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy. The study extends further to outline a conceptual framework for interventions to enhance COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among the LGBTQIA+ population. Methods: We performed a systematic search using key terms on Google Scholar and PubMed. The obtained results were filtered using the eligibility criteria framed for this study. The initial search provided an extensive result of 4510 articles which were later screened at various levels to arrive at the final inclusive collection of manuscripts adding to 17. The studies were analyzed by the authors individually, and the data were categorized using variables. The results are interpreted using charts and graphs. The whole manuscript has been structured in accordance with the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. Result: The comprehensive search yielded 17 eligible articles for this review. Most of the studies were conducted in the United States (n = 17), and predominantly cross-sectional studies have been conducted. The major comparative factor was the HIV status of the LGBTQIA+ population. HIV-affected patients were more willing to take up COVID-19 vaccination. However, social stigma, discrimination, lack of access and non-prioritization in vaccine drives were found to be the major factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy among this population. Conclusion: The invention of the COVID-19 vaccination revolutionized the healthcare systems burdened with COVID-19. Although this is a breakthrough scientific contribution, many factors are associated with the rate of vaccine acceptance, especially among sexual and gender minorities. The reviewed studies have revealed numerous factors that influence vaccine uptake and refusal with the commonest being concerns on discrimination, social stigma, inequitable access to healthcare, vaccine safety, efficacy, potency, side effects and lack of trust in medical workers. These impediments in vaccine coverage should be meticulously addressed to ensure optimum LGBTQIA+ physical and mental health as well as for providing non-discriminative, equitable and quality healthcare service regardless of the gender or sexual orientation of individuals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Priorities and COVID-19)

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29 pages, 2134 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Scoping Review on Long COVID-19: Physiological and Psychological Symptoms Post-Acute, Long-Post and Persistent Post COVID-19

by Krishna Mohan Surapaneni, Manmohan Singhal, Sofia Rani Saggu, Ashruti Bhatt, Priya Shunmathy and Ashish Joshi

Healthcare 2022, 10(12), 2418; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10122418 - 30 Nov 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2790

Abstract

Background: The identification of persistent symptoms of chronic/long COVID-19 is crucial in understanding the management of long haulers of post COVID-19. Methods: Pub Med (Medline) database was scoped for original articles based on a search strategy related to the objectives. The selected articles post-screening were analyzed for variables relating to chronic/long COVID-19. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 33 studies were reviewed. A total of 60% of the studies were observational studies and most of them were from high income countries. Almost half of the studies were in phase 3 of post-COVID-19, i.e., symptoms lasting >24 weeks. Among the physiological and psychological symptoms studied, fatigue, dyspnea, cough, headache, memory loss, depression, brain fog and lack of concentration were found to be the most frequently reported symptoms. Excessive sleep, constipation and neuropathic pain were among the least reported symptoms. Prior hospitalization, the female gender was found to be a risk factor. Limitations were reported by all studies. Conclusions: The major physiological and psychological symptoms of long COVID-19 have been explained with risk factors and its impact on patients’ lifestyles. The findings of this review hope to facilitate clinicians to draw conclusions to manage the long-term effects of post/chronic COVID-19. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Priorities and COVID-19)

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6 pages, 212 KiB

Open AccessCommentary

The “Criminal Shield”: Criminal Liability for Healthcare Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Giorgio Bolino, Gianpiero D’Antonio, Letizia Sorace, Nicola Di Fazio, Gianpietro Volonnino, Raffaele La Russa, Mauro Arcangeli and Paola Frati

Healthcare 2023, 11(19), 2661; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11192661 - 01 Oct 2023

Viewed by 811

Abstract

The Sars-CoV-2 pandemic has had important economic, health, political, and jurisprudential implications all over the world. According to innovations already introduced by Law 24/2017, with Decree Law no. 44 of 1 April 2021 and the subsequent conversion law no. 71 of 2021, Italy is the only country in which ad hoc rules have been introduced to limit the professional liability of healthcare professionals during the health emergency. The “criminal shield” can be defined as the Legislator response to the extreme pressure on healthcare professionals during the pandemic. Full article

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