Table 1.
Survey responses.
| Question | Response [n (%)] |
|---|---|
| Q1. Do you think the private medical sector in India is contributing enough toward the COVID-19 pandemic? [single response, N = 213] | |
| No | 101 (47.42%) |
| Yes | 74 (34.74%) |
| I am not sure | 38 (17.84%) |
| Q2. Which domains do you think the private medical sector could contribute in?[multiple responses, N = 213] | |
| Research | 85 (39.91%) |
| Patient care | 153 (71.83%) |
| Financial | 62 (29.11%) |
| Education | 84 (39.44%) |
| Administrative (e.g., Formulation and execution of guidelines) | 66 (30.99%) |
| Consumables | 56 (26.29%) |
| Equipment (e.g. ventilators) | 133 (62.44%) |
| Other (please specify) | 8 (3.76%) |
| Q3. How do you think the private sector could contribute toward research?[multiple responses. N = 70) | |
| Develop new drugs | 39 (55.71%) |
| Repurpose existing drugs | 39 (55.71%) |
| Develop new methods of testing | 50 (71.43%) |
| Develop a vaccine | 41 (58.57%) |
| Not sure | 4 (5.71%) |
| Other (please specify) | 4 (5.71%) |
| Q4. How do you think the private sector could contribute toward patient care?[Multiple responses, N = 168] | |
| Screening services | 117 (69.64%) |
| Testing | 116 (69.05%) |
| Offer non-ICU beds for admission | 100 (59.52%) |
| Offer ICU beds for admission | 103 (61.31%) |
| Start home outreach services | 61 (36.31%) |
| I don't think they can contribute in this domain | 6 (3.57%) |
| Other (please specify) | 12 (7.14%) |
| Q5. How do you think the private sector could contribute toward consumables/supplies? [Multiple responses. N = 168] | |
| Masks | 101 (65.48%) |
| Drugs | 89 (52.98%) |
| Testing kits | 103 (61.31%) |
| Gloves and protective gear | 115 (68.45%) |
| Not sure | 9 (5.36%) |
| I don't think they can contribute in this domain | 28 (16.67%) |
| Other (please specify) | 7 (4.17%) |
| Q6. How do you think the private sector could contribute financially?[Multiple responses, N = 168] | |
| Contribution directly to local govt hospitals | 51 (30.36%) |
| Provide free or subsidized treatment to those who cannot afford it | 113 (67.26%) |
| Contribution to the PM fund | 43 (25.60%) |
| I don't think they can contribute in this domain | 20 (11.90%) |
| Other (please specify) | 9 (5.36%) |
| Q7. How do you think the private sector could contribute toward education?[Multiple responses, N = 168] | |
| Educating non ICU health care workers toward ICU services | 96 (57.14%) |
| Training of healthcare professionals for management of non-sick COVID-19 patients | 121 (72.02%) |
| Training of other healthcare professionals toward personal protection and safety | 118 (70.24%) |
| Training of students (MBBS) toward volunteer work for COVID-19 | 84 (50.00%) |
| Training non MBBS students toward volunteer work for COVID-19 | 65 (38.69%) |
| Spread awareness amongst the population | 119 (70.83%) |
| I don't think they can contribute in this domain | 7 (4.17%) |
| Other (please specify) | 3 (1.79%) |
| Q8. How do you think the private sector could contribute toward care for non COVID-19 patients?[Multiple responses, N = 168] | |
| Virtual consulting | 130 (77.38%) |
| Arranging drug delivery | 71 (42.26%) |
| Admission of sick patients | 108 (64.29%) |
| Arrange infusions for those due for infusions (e.g., blood transfusion, vaccines, biologics, cancer chemotherapy) | 110 (65.48%) |
| I don't think they can contribute in this domain | 4 (2.38%) |
| Other (please specify) | 5 (2.98%) |
| Q9. What form of virtual consulting do you think is the most cost and effort efficient in the Indian scenario?[Multiple responses, N = 168] | |
| Telephone | 98 (58.33%) |
| Video | 102 (60.71%) |
| 37 (22.02%) | |
| I don't think virtual consulting is a good idea | 19 (11.31%) |
| I am not sure | 8 (4.76%) |
| Other (please specify) | 2 (1.19%) |
| Q10. Blood banks are facing an acute shortage these days. Would you like to be a blood donor?[Multiple responses, N = 168] | |
| Yes | 126 (75.00%) |
| No | 42 (25.00%) |
| Q11. Have you contributed toward the pandemic in any way yet?[Multiple responses, N = 168] | |
| Financially | 81 (48.21%) |
| Feeding the poor | 50 (29.76%) |
| Tele consulting | 86 (51.19%) |
| Going to job regularly (essential services) | 116 (69.05%) |
| Volunteer work | 26 (15.48%) |
| Education | 71 (42.26%) |
| Other (please specify) | 6 (3.57%) |
| Q12. How many patients have you provided tele-consulting yet? [N = 13] | |
| 1–10 | 8 (61.54%) |
| 11–20 | 2 (15.38%) |
| 21–50 | 2 (15.38%) |
| 51–100 | 1 (7.69%) |
| >100 | 0 (0.00%) |
| Q13. Do you think you have contributed enough? [N = 91] | |
| Yes | 36 (39.56%) |
| No | 34 (37.36%) |
| I am not sure | 21 (23.08%) |
| Q14. What concerns do you have regarding the current strategy the Government has employed? [Multiple responses, N = 91] | |
| Government authorities have not involved the private sector adequately. | 53 (58.24%) |
| Private sector is involved too much, which could lead to a decrease in the healthcare given to patients of other conditions. | 6 (6.59%) |
| Government does not have enough funding. | 27 (29.67%) |
| Private sector is not part of the decision making process. | 41 (45.05%) |
| I think they are handling it perfectly | 18 (19.78%) |
| Other (please specify) | 11 (12.09%) |
| Suggestions | N = 41 |
| Encourage moral values amongst the HCWs | |
| Honesty | 1 |
| Volunteer for COVID-19 patient care | 1 |
| Encourage more communication between the government and private sector | |
| More help from the government to medical staff | 1 |
| Proper coordination | 1 |
| Educate public | |
| Explain safety measures to own family and patients | 3 |
| Educate oneself about covid-19 in order to give advice to those who require it | 4 |
| Dispel myths | 2 |
| Research | |
| Study patients currently under our care | 1 |
| Train HCWs | |
| Non urgent patient care taught to HCWs so that experienced individuals can treat severe COVID patients | 2 |
| Donations | 1 |
| Patient Care | |
| Treat COVID patients | 9 |
| Practice Telemedicine | 7 |
| Continue practice | 5 |
| Provide outstation medical services | 1 |
| Provide treatment free of cost for the poor | 1 |
| Formulate practical protocols for patient care | 1 |