The University of Sydney’s Injury Research Foundation (IRF) has published its latest study into negative health impacts from the novel coronavirus, in three Australian states and will be undertaking a national delegation from New South Wales–Victoria to present an evidence-based review of all the scientific literature concerning positive and negative impacts of the virus on healthcare providers.

The view from these three Australian jurisdictions and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) in the Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia appears in articles by leading researchers from each state.

Professor Christopher Yates, Director of International Education at the IRF, says this study will look at and document the scientific data required by clinical decision-making experts to critically appraise the clinical treatment or outcome outcomes of patients infected with COVID-19. In particular, the IRF will use that understanding to inform clinical decisions of practitioners and care home for their patients.

“In this very busy medical environment, clinicians will rely on citation records to quickly and accurately assess their patients’ and provider’s care capability and progress,” Professor Yates explains. “The IRF is working to develop evidence-informed patient care management guidelines such as educational posters, medication reminders and precautions for healthcare personnel, guidance for patients and patient volunteers, and other relevant research documents.”

Professor Yates says the more research we do about the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare providers and how it affects my patient’s health, the better positioned the healthcare system is to provide the best possible outcomes which will translate into a sustainable and viable recovery continuum of the health system for all of the individuals affected.

“Thousands of infectious disease experts and others worldwide have expressed interest in participating in this engaging ‘peer-reviewed journal article editing process,'” says Professor Yates. “We hope the articles will directly report the effects of COVID-19 on patients and physicians’ ability to learn and work with supporting patients to manage the illness.”