Training and reployment of non-specialists is an effective solution for the shortage of health care workers in the COVID-19 pandemic

Importance In the COVID-19 pandemic many countries encounter problems arising from shortage of specialists. Short intensive training and reployment of non-specialists is an option but the effectiveness is unknown. Objective To investigate whether there was difference in in-hospital mortality rates between COVID-19 patients managed by a mixed team (including non-specialists who had short intensive training and operated to a strict protocol) and those managed by a specialist team of health care workers. Design Cohort study, from January 26, 2020 to April 7, 2020, follow up to April 7, 2020. Setting Multicenter - Wuhan Hankou Hospital and Wuhan Xiehe Hospital, Wuhan, China. Participants 261 HCWs deployed to Wuhan from Guangdong emergency rescue team and the 269 COVID-19 patients they treated. Exposure Among 261 health care workers, 130 were in the specialist team and included 33 physicians, 32 of whom (97.0%) of whom were from relevant specialties. Each physician was in charge of 25-27 beds, with a 6-hour shift time. The mixed team included 131 health care workers, with 7 of the 28 physicians (25.0%) from relevant specialties. Each physician managed 12-13 beds, with a 4-hour shift time. Non-specialists received short-term intensive training and then followed strict management protocols. Specialists practiced as normal. Main Outcomes and Measures Main outcome was in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 patients. Another outcome was rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection in health care workers. Results A total of 269 patients were included (144 male). In-hospital mortality rate of patients treated by the specialist teams and the mixed teams was 12.6% (20/159) and 12.7% (14/110) respectively (Difference = −0.1%, 95% CI −8.2% to 7.9%, p=.97). None of the health care workers were infected. Conclusions and Relevance Training and reployment of non-specialists is an effective solution for the shortage of health care workers in the COVID-19 pandemic. Key Points Question Was there difference in mortality rates between COVID-19 patients managed by a mixed team (including non-specialists who had short intensive training and operated to a strict protocol) and those managed by a specialist team of health care workers (HCWs)? Findings In-hospital mortality rate among patients managed by specialist team (130 HCWs, 159 patients) and mixed team (131 HCWs, 110 patients) was 12.6% (20/159) and 12.7% (14/110) respectively (Difference = −0.1%, 95% CI −8.2% to 7.9%, p=.97). Meaning With shortage of specialist HCWs, training and reployment of non-specialists is an effective option in the management of COVID-19 patients.