Innovative Solutions to the Clinical Challenges of COVID-19

Abstract

Aim/Background: This chapter will address the clinical challenges of COVID-19 through the lens of informatics, detailing examples of how these challenges have been tackled.

COVID-19 emerged from Wuhan, China, in late 2019. A new strain of coronavirus was not previously identified in humans. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which cause illness ranging from a mild cold to severe disease. Since the alarm was first raised in China, COVID-19 spread rapidly throughout the globe. Initially deemed as a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern’ by the World Health Organization (WHO), it was later declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020.

Nations have been striving to ‘flatten the curve’, so as to reduce the burden on healthcare systems and reduce the number of deaths. Globally we have had to get to grip with diagnosing, treating, and navigating this novel coronavirus path in a time-critical manner.

Methods: Informed by a retrospective review of the body of COVID-19 literature, first-hand clinical experience and overarching public and global health principles, we propose the key clinical challenges faced in the fight against COVID-19. These will be explored, with current and potential informatics solutions elaborated upon. We will study healthcare systems and how information has been transformed within these during the pandemic.

Results: We have identified key clinical challenges faced in the wake of COVID-19. These challenges invariably vary between countries; however, no country has been without challenge. The key challenges identified were testing and laboratory capacity; understanding presentations of COVID-19; rapid formulation of treatment guidelines and dissemination of these; contact tracing; use of technology for communication; human resources; personal protective equipment supplies; information sharing within the scientific community; running clinical trials; finding a vaccine; increasing hospital capacity; ensuring appropriate use of healthcare facilities; secondary impacts, e.g. delayed presentation; misinformation; use of infographics; training of healthcare professionals; performing aerosol-generating procedures; and quarantining clinical areas.

Conclusions: In the midst of a global health emergency, we have identified and addressed many clinical challenges. We have adapted rapidly out of necessity. Lessons have been learned, and future challenges will arise. We must reflect on our progress and failings thus far, to ensure maximum learning. Recommendations for future pandemics are open information sharing, knowledge hubs which are easily accessible, a continuous commitment to analyse and learn from our actions and the pursuit of innovative solutions utilising informatics.