Reorganisation of GP surgeries during the COVID-19 outbreak: analysis of guidelines from 15 countriesShow others and affiliations
2021 (English)In: BMC Family Practice, E-ISSN 1471-2296, Vol. 22, no 1, article id 96Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Background General practitioners (GPs) play a key role in managing the COVID-19 outbreak. However, they may encounter difficulties adapting their practices to the pandemic. We provide here an analysis of guidelines for the reorganisation of GP surgeries during the beginning of the pandemic from 15 countries. Methods A network of GPs collaborated together in a three-step process: (i) identification of key recommendations of GP surgery reorganisation, according to WHO, CDC and health professional resources from health care facilities; (ii) collection of key recommendations included in the guidelines published in 15 countries; (iii) analysis, comparison and synthesis of the results. Results Recommendations for the reorganisation of GP surgeries of four types were identified: (i) reorganisation of GP consultations (cancelation of non-urgent consultations, follow-up via e-consultations), (ii) reorganisation of GP surgeries (area partitioning, visual alerts and signs, strict hygiene measures), (iii) reorganisation of medical examinations by GPs (equipment, hygiene, partial clinical examinations, patient education), (iv) reorganisation of GP staff (equipment, management, meetings, collaboration with the local community). Conclusions We provide here an analysis of guidelines for the reorganisation of GP surgeries during the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak from 15 countries. These guidelines focus principally on clinical care, with less attention paid to staff management, and the area of epidemiological surveillance and research is largely neglected. The differences of guidelines between countries and the difficulty to apply them in routine care, highlight the need of advanced research in primary care. Thereby, primary care would be able to provide recommendations adapted to the real-world settings and with stronger evidence, which is especially necessary during pandemics.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
BioMed Central, 2021. Vol. 22, no 1, article id 96
Keywords [en]
COVID-19, General Practitioner, Primary care, Clinical Practice Guidelines, Pandemic
National Category
Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy
Research subject
Natural Science, Medicine
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-103690DOI: 10.1186/s12875-021-01413-zISI: 000651451800001PubMedID: 34000985Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85106172517Local ID: 2021OAI: oai:DiVA.org:lnu-103690DiVA, id: diva2:1559231
2021-06-012021-06-012022-12-08Bibliographically approved