Effects of Internet Hospital Consultations on Psychological Burdens and Disease Knowledge During the Early Outbreak of COVID-19 in China: Cross-Sectional Survey Study (Preprint)

• DOI: 10.2196/preprints.19551
• Publication Date: 2020-08-04T15:00:28Z
• Authors: Lin Li; Gang Liu; Weiguo Xu; Yun Zhang; Mei He
• Keywords: Pandemic; Computer-assisted web interviewing

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become a global threat to human health. Internet hospitals have emerged as critical technology bring epidemic-related web-based services and medical support the public. However, only few very recent scientific literature reports explored effects of internet on psychological burden knowledge in major public health emergencies such COVID-19 pandemic. </sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> The aim this study was explore role relieving increasing during early outbreak <title>METHODS</title> This survey conducted from January 26 February 1, 2020, China. platform used for consultation WeChat account our hospital. To participate study, patient required answer list questions exclude possibility infection confirm their willingness voluntarily. Next, participant directed complete self-report questionnaire. After consultation, questionnaire again. included sections general information, General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), participant’s worries, knowledge, need hospital treatment. <title>RESULTS</title> total number consultations 4120. topics mainly respiratory symptoms cough, expectoration, fever (2489/4120, 60.4%) anxiety, fear (1023/4120, 24.8%). A 1530 people filled out questionnaires before after consultation. Of these people, 1398/1530 (91.4%) experienced stress which significantly decreased (260/1530, 17.0%) (χ&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;sub&gt;1&lt;/sub&gt;=1704.8, &lt;i&gt;P&lt;/i&gt;&amp;lt;.001). There no significant difference who expressed concern about pandemic (χ&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;sub&gt;1&lt;/sub&gt;=0.7, &lt;i&gt;P&lt;/i&gt;=.43). degree alleviated (&lt;i&gt;t&lt;sub&gt;2699&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;/i&gt;=90.638, main worries were dangers posed by risk family members. scores self-assessment lower than those (&lt;i&gt;t&lt;sub&gt;3058&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;/i&gt;=95.694, participants’ symptoms, transmission routes, preventive measures higher (&lt;i&gt;t&lt;sub&gt;3058&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;/i&gt;=–106.105, –80.456, –152.605, respectively; all treatment score 3.3 (SD 1.2) 1.6 0.8), statistically (&lt;i&gt;t&lt;sub&gt;3058&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;/i&gt;=45.765, <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> During COVID-19, could help relieve burdens increase awareness through timely rapid spread regarding prevention control. should be an important aspect new model emergency systems.