Namrata Trivedi1, Vivek Trivedi2, Arumugam Moorthy3,4,5, Hina Trivedi6,7,8. 1. Final Year Medical Student, Imperial College London, London, UK namrata.trivedi@hotmail.com. 2. CT1 Doctor, Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust, Wigan, UK. 3. International Visiting Professor, TNDr MGR Medical University, Chennai, India. 4. Consultant Rheumatologist, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK. 5. Honorary Associate Professor, College of Life Sciences, Leicester Medical School, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK. 6. Honorary Diabetes Fellow, Leicester Diabetes Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK. 7. GP Senior Partner, Horizon Healthcare, Leicester, UK. 8. Honorary Teaching Fellow, Leicester Medical School, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted GPs immensely. Work patterns have changed, risk stratification has been proposed, and the mental health of clinicians has been adversely affected. The COVID-19 prevalence among GPs is unknown. This study focuses on assessing the impact of COVID-19 on GPs in Leicestershire, the first UK city to lock down locally. AIM: This survey assessed the prevalence of COVID-19 in GPs and explored GP work patterns in comparison with national guidance. It used a validated perceived stress tool to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on GP stress perception. DESIGN & SETTING: The cross-sectional retrospective survey was sent to all the GPs in Leicestershire. METHOD: A total of 111 GPs in Leicestershire took part voluntarily in an anonymised questionnaire-based study. A 29-item survey using SmartSurvey software was designed with multiple choice and Likert response scale questions. RESULTS: COVID-19 prevalence in GPs in Leicestershire was 8.1%; 70.3% of GPs were of Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) origin; 91.9% of GPs had undergone risk stratification; and 79.3% of GPs felt supported by their practice, but only 59.5% felt supported with mental health. GPs described feeling more stressed during the COVID-19 pandemic than they had been previously. CONCLUSION: This is the first study evaluating COVID-19 prevalence among GPs in Leicestershire. Despite government interventions, GPs felt less supported with their mental health compared with pre-COVID-19 times. Thus, the NHS in England should focus on GP stress and wellbeing as they work towards the restoration and recovery of primary care while battling the second wave.
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted GPs immensely. Work patterns have changed, risk stratification has been proposed, and the mental health of clinicians has been adversely affected. The COVID-19 prevalence among GPs is unknown. This study focuses on assessing the impact of COVID-19 on GPs in Leicestershire, the first UK city to lock down locally. AIM: This survey assessed the prevalence of COVID-19 in GPs and explored GP work patterns in comparison with national guidance. It used a validated perceived stress tool to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on GPstress perception. DESIGN & SETTING: The cross-sectional retrospective survey was sent to all the GPs in Leicestershire. METHOD: A total of 111 GPs in Leicestershire took part voluntarily in an anonymised questionnaire-based study. A 29-item survey using SmartSurvey software was designed with multiple choice and Likert response scale questions. RESULTS:COVID-19 prevalence in GPs in Leicestershire was 8.1%; 70.3% of GPs were of Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) origin; 91.9% of GPs had undergone risk stratification; and 79.3% of GPs felt supported by their practice, but only 59.5% felt supported with mental health. GPs described feeling more stressed during the COVID-19 pandemic than they had been previously. CONCLUSION: This is the first study evaluating COVID-19 prevalence among GPs in Leicestershire. Despite government interventions, GPs felt less supported with their mental health compared with pre-COVID-19 times. Thus, the NHS in England should focus on GPstress and wellbeing as they work towards the restoration and recovery of primary care while battling the second wave.
Authors: Patrick Kierkegaard; Timothy Hicks; A Joy Allen; Yaling Yang; Gail Hayward; Margaret Glogowska; Brian D Nicholson; Peter Buckle Journal: Implement Sci Commun Date: 2021-12-18