====== Patient Health Questionnaire-9  ======

https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/1725/phq9-patient-health-questionnaire9

{{ ::pain_health_questionnaire_9.pdf |}}
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The aim of a study was to evaluate the impact of the [[COVID-19]] outbreak in spine [[surgeon]]s in [[Latin America]].

A [[questionnaire]] was sent to Latin American spine surgeons from April 4 to 6, [[2020]]. Surgeon characteristics were recorded. The impact of COVID-19 on economic well-being, work, and mental health were also determined. All variables were compared and analyzed.

Two hundred four surgeons answered the complete survey; most of them were male (96.6%), the average age was 47.7 years; 58.8% (n = 120) were orthopedic surgeons and 41.2% (n = 84) were neurosurgeons. The majority of the respondents were from Argentina (59.8%, n = 122), followed by Brazil (17.2%, n = 35), Chile (6.4%, n = 13), and Mexico (5.9%, n = 12). Most of the surgeons reported performing emergency procedures only during the pandemic (76.5%, n = 156). Half used telemedicine or online consultation modalities (54.4%, n = 111). The average concern about the financial situation due to the pandemic was 7.53 in a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the worst scenario). Twenty-two percent (n = 45) of the surgeons had a score over 10 in the Patient Health Questionnaire ([[PHQ-9]]; scores higher than 10 needs referral to confirm depression diagnosis). Young age and neurosurgery as a specialty were associated with higher PHQ-9 scores.

COVID-19 has an impact in the daily working practice and financial situation of [[spine surgeon]]s in Latin America. The long-term psychological impact should be taken into consideration to avoid a heavier burden for health care providers
((Guiroy A, Gagliardi M, Coombes N, et al. COVID-19 Impact Among Spine Surgeons in Latin America [published online ahead of print, 2020 May 12]. Global Spine J. 2020;2192568220928032. doi:10.1177/2192568220928032)).