How volumes declined for 20 specialties during the COVID-19 pandemic: The Commonwealth Fund

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on patient volumes, according to a Feb. 22 report from The Commonwealth Fund.

Visits declined for all specialties examined by the organization.

Percent decline by specialty:

1. Pediatrics: 27 percent
2. Pulmonology: 27 percent
3. ENT: 25 percent
4. Physical medicine: 25 percent
5. Dermatology: 22 percent
6. Cardiology: 20 percent
7. Gastroenterology: 20 percent
8. Neurology: 19 percent
9. Podiatry: 18 percent
10. Ophthalmology: 18 percent
11. Allergy: 18 percent
12. Orthopedics: 16 percent
13. Surgery: 16 percent
14. Behavioral health: 15 percent
15. Urology: 14 percent
16. Oncology: 13 percent
17. Endocrinology: 11 percent
18. Adult primary care: 10 percent
19. Obstercis: 10 percent
20. Rheumatology: 8 percent

Note: The report compared the cumulative difference in patient visits over weeks 10 to 52 of the pandemic to the baseline week of March 1-7, 2020 The data is reflective of in-person and telemedicine visits but does not include urgent care center visits data. The Commonwealth Fund is liberal-leaning.

View the entire report here.