Learning from the past: did experience with previous epidemics help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 among spine surgeons worldwide?
Joseph A WeinerPeter R SwiatekDaniel J JohnsonPhilip K LouieGarrett K HaradaMichael H McCarthyNiccole GermscheidJason P Y CheungMarko H NevaMohammad El-SharkawiMarcelo ValaccoDaniel M SciubbaNorman B ChutkenHoward S AnDino SamartzisPublished in: European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society (2020)
This is the first study to note that prior experience with infectious disease crises did not appear to help spine surgeons prepare for the current COVID-19 pandemic. Based on survey results, the GHSI was not an effective measure of COVID-19 preparedness. Formal international guidelines for crisis preparedness are needed to mitigate future pandemics.