Doctors’ shortage in adults COVID-19 units: a call for pediatricians

Abstract

Since its first description in China, SARS-CoV-2 has been spreading all over the world causing millions of 31 infections and hundreds of thousands of deaths. The massive raise of cases all over the world even during the current second wave is leading to unprecedented pressures on healthcare services. Growing evidence is highlighting that COVID-19 is a systemic condition that requires doctors with multiple expertise. Paediatricians are trained in these skills. Considering the issue of staff shortage that is facing every country in the world, and the complexity of COVID-19, pediatricians may represent an important source of ready and skilled specialists that can quickly translate the pediatric practice in the COVID-19 care. In conclusion, we highlight through our experience several parallels between the pediatric clinical practice and clinical conditions described in patients with COVID-19 as well as the diagnostic tools and the measures taken in 39 patients with COVID-19.What is Known:• The massive raise of cases all over the world is leading to unprecedented pressures on healthcare services.• Growing evidence is highlighting that COVID-19 is a systemic condition that requires doctors with multiple expertise.What is New:•Pediatricians are trained daily in these skills.•Considering the issue of staff shortage that is facing every country in the world, and the complexity of COVID-19, pediatricians may represent an important source of ready and skilled specialists that can quickly translate the pediatric practice in the COVID-19 care.