Andrea Siebenhofer1,2, Sebastian Huter3, Alexander Avian4, Karola Mergenthal2, Dagmar Schaffler-Schaden3, Ulrike Spary-Kainz1, Herbert Bachler5, Maria Flamm3. 1. Institute of General Practice and Evidence based Health Services Research, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria. 2. Institute of General Practice, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany. 3. Institute for General Practice, Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria. 4. Institute for Medical Informatics, and Statistics and Documentation, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria. 5. Institute of General Practice, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) represents a significant challenge to health care systems around the world. A well-functioning primary care system is crucial in epidemic situations as it plays an important role in the development of a system-wide response. METHODS: 2,187 Austrian and German GPs answered an internet survey on preparedness, testing, staff protection, perception of risk, self-confidence, a decrease in the number of patient contacts, and efforts to control the spread of the virus in the practice during the early phase of the COVID-pandemic (3rd to 30th April). RESULTS: The completion rate of the questionnaire was high (90.9%). GPs gave low ratings to their preparedness for a pandemic, testing of suspected cases and efforts to protect staff. The provision of information to GPs and the perception of risk were rated as moderate. On the other hand, the participants rated their self-confidence, a decrease in patient contacts and their efforts to control the spread of the disease highly. CONCLUSION: Primary care is an important resource for dealing with a pandemic like COVID-19. The workforce is confident and willing to take an active role, but needs to be provided with the appropriate surrounding conditions. This will require that certain conditions are met. REGISTRATION: Trial registration at the German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00021231.
BACKGROUND:Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) represents a significant challenge to health care systems around the world. A well-functioning primary care system is crucial in epidemic situations as it plays an important role in the development of a system-wide response. METHODS: 2,187 Austrian and German GPs answered an internet survey on preparedness, testing, staff protection, perception of risk, self-confidence, a decrease in the number of patient contacts, and efforts to control the spread of the virus in the practice during the early phase of the COVID-pandemic (3rd to 30th April). RESULTS: The completion rate of the questionnaire was high (90.9%). GPs gave low ratings to their preparedness for a pandemic, testing of suspected cases and efforts to protect staff. The provision of information to GPs and the perception of risk were rated as moderate. On the other hand, the participants rated their self-confidence, a decrease in patient contacts and their efforts to control the spread of the disease highly. CONCLUSION: Primary care is an important resource for dealing with a pandemic like COVID-19. The workforce is confident and willing to take an active role, but needs to be provided with the appropriate surrounding conditions. This will require that certain conditions are met. REGISTRATION: Trial registration at the German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00021231.
Authors: Madlen Hoerold; Marc Gottschalk; Carla Maria Debbeler; Heike Heytens; Saskia Ehrentreich; Ruediger C Braun-Dullaeus; Christian Apfelbacher Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2021-12-02 Impact factor: 2.655
Authors: Dagmar Schaffler-Schaden; Karola Mergenthal; Alexander Avian; Sebastian Huter; Ulrike Spary-Kainz; Herbert Bachler; Maria Flamm; Andrea Siebenhofer Journal: Front Med (Lausanne) Date: 2022-02-21
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