key: cord-0799711-0sk2j9dd
authors: Foley, David A; Tippett, Emma
title: COVID‐19 response: the perspectives of infectious diseases physicians and clinical microbiologists
date: 2020-10-08
journal: Med J Aust
DOI: 10.5694/mja2.50810
sha: fa9e006b989ac16a225fa0581bdc21972ec67117
doc_id: 799711
cord_uid: 0sk2j9dd

nan

overtime per week, and nearly onethird of infectious diseases physicians (70/214) worked late hours at least 3 days a week on COVID-19-related activities. While many doctors have been less busy than usual lately, 3 infectious diseases physicians and microbiologists have been busier than ever.

At the time of the survey, only 45% (95/212) of infectious diseases physicians agreed that the government's response was well coordinated. Similarly, only 25% (11/42) of microbiologists felt that advice from laboratory regulatory bodies was of assistance. This feedback highlights the confusion and lack of clarity that many clinicians experienced at the beginning of the pandemic. To improve coordination and response, we advocate for the establishment of a national Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. 4 This Centre would need to be supported politically and financially by the federal government and all jurisdictions to be effective.

Reflecting the current lack of clear data about therapeutic options for patients with COVID-19, over three-quarters (169, 79%) of infectious diseases physicians felt they had equipoise for a clinical trial of specific antiretroviral. We advocate for investigational agents for COVID-19 to only be used in the context of a clinical trial. 5 At this time of great challenge to the Australian and New Zealand health care systems, infectious diseases physicians and microbiologists stand with all health care professionals and members of the community.

Australian National Centre for Disease Control (CDC) -2017. Canberra: AMA

The Australasian COVID-19 Trial (ASCOT) to assess clinical outcomes in hospitalised patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) treated with lopinavir/ritonavir and/or hydroxychloroquine compared to standard of care: A structured summary of a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial