Rheumatology expertise in advising immunocompromised healthcare workers: Insights from a survey of Australian rheumatologists.

Background: Healthcare workers (HCW) with an inflammatory disease may be at increased risk of infections and their complications, however there is no evidence to guide specific measures to reduce the risk of immunocompromised HCW acquiring infection in the workplace. This cross-sectional study aimed to define the attitudes of rheumatologists and rheumatology trainees towards counselling immunocompromised healthcare workers about additional workplace precautions to minimise workplace risk of infection.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered via Zoom poll during a webinar held in August 2020. Participants were Victorian and Tasmanian members of the Australian Rheumatology Association, which includes consultant rheumatologists and rheumatology trainees. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse survey responses.

Results: Of the 52 participants, 41 provided care to at least one immunocompromised healthcare worker. 21 out of 52 participants estimated that the majority of these patients sought their advice about infection risk in the workplace. The most common source of information for counselling patients on workplace infection risks were colleagues (38/50). Participants were most confident in providing information on influenza and hepatitis but less confident in providing information in tuberculosis, shingles and COVID-19. Most participants believed employers of immunocompromised HCW should play a role in providing advice on managing infection risks in the workplace.

Conclusion: Our study reveals a level of uncertainty and discomfort amongst rheumatologists in providing recommendations to immunocompromised healthcare workers about managing their workplace risk of infection. We recommend the development of a framework to guide the clinician in making individualised recommendations for immunocompromised HCW.