COVID-19 Essentials: Preparing Health Care Professionals before the Pandemic Spread in Kerala, India

Abstract

Background: In Kerala, an Indian State, COVID-19 treatment was restricted to government hospitals
till the first week of August 2020. There was a suggestion to involve private hospitals if the disease
spreads fast and wide. Three quarters of the healthcare delivery in the state is by private health care
providers.
Methods: The hospital administration decided to train different levels of health care workers (HCW) in
caring COVID-19 patients along with measures to remain safe from the disease. This was a mandatory
two hours online training session covering the necessary topics as per the Guidelines of World Health
Organisation (WHO) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Post test was conducted based
on the knowledge acquired during the programme, general awareness as a medical professional and
media reports that a medical personal should follow.
Conclusion: The response from doctors was 73.7% (out of 559).More response was from the interns
(96.4%). All the respondents appeared for the post test and 93.4% secured marks above the cut off
level of 75%. The participation and high percentage of success rate shows the interest of medical
professionals to step up their skill, especially when they face a new challenge.