COVID-19 and French Medical Maritime Teleconsultation

Abstract

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic has impacted both land and maritime health services. The purpose of this study is to describe the calls received by the Tele-Medical Assistance Service (TMAS) in relation to this epidemic. Methods: From March 1 to 30 April 30, 2020, all records coded by TMAS doctors as "influenza due to an unidentified virus"were extracted. The following data were collected: patients' age, gender, nationality, role on board, type of ship, area of navigation, reason for the teleconsultation, patient's symptoms, whether or not a COVID test had been carried out, and treatment given. The data were analyzed in two groups, depending on the reason for the consultation: teleconsultation for suspected COVID patients and teleconsultation for non-COVID patients for whom the call was nevertheless related to the COVID pandemic. Results: Sixty-one records were included - 51 for suspected COVID patients and 10 records for COVID-related problems (six patients whose treatment had stopped due to shortage of medication/one patient reporting a psychiatric problem associated with isolation, three patients followed up as contact cases). Forty-five patients presented with fever when the first call was made (88%) and 39 had a cough (76%). On closure of the medical records, 33 were receiving treatment on board (65%), 10 had disembarked (20%), 1 had been rerouted (2%), and 7 had been evacuated (13%). Discussion: TMAS was able to aid professional sailors as well as passengers/recreational sailors in terms of telemedicine (diagnosis and monitoring), logistics (barrier actions and isolation), and operations (evacuation and repatriation).