COVI-Prim survey: Challenges for Austrian and German general practitioners during initial phase of COVID-19

Abstract

BackgroundCoronavirus 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.Methods2,187 Austrian and German GPs answered an internet suvey 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).ResultsThe 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.ConclusionPrimary 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.RegistrationTrial registration at the German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00021231Primary Funding SourceThe study was financed by the cooperating University Institutes without any external financial support.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Australian residential aged care facility (RACF) workforce

“…A total of 54 questions were adapted from a previously developed research instrument being used to understand the challenges faced by Austrian GPs during the pandemic. 5 The majority of questions required answers based on a fixed 'yes/no/not applicable' scale, and were supplemented by open-ended questions. The questions sought information on; how prepared respondents were to deal with the COVID pandemic, how they were dealing with the challenges brought on by the pandemic, what information they received (or did not receive), their experiences with personal protective equipment, impact on workload and impact on personal/home obligations.…”

Erfahrungen mit Versorgungsärzt*innen in der frühen COVID-19-Phase 2020 in Bayern – Befragung von Versorgungs- und Hausärzt*innen

“…Eine generelle Lösung grundlegender Schwierigkeiten, etwa hinsichtlich Kommunikation, Implementierung adäquater politischer Maßnahmen oder eine schnelle Versorgung mit persönlicher Schutzausrüstung, war durch die VÄ nicht möglich. Um unnötige Zeit- und Reibungsverluste zu vermeiden, ist daher für zukünftige Pandemiesituationen eine verbesserte Zusammenarbeit und Abstimmung zwischen Staat, einzelnen Ministerien und KVB 16 , eine Optimierung von Kommunikation und Austausch an den Schnittstellen der Versorger*innen 21 22 sowie ein Abbau von Bürokratie und Komplexität, etwa in Bezug auf Testungs- und Abrechnungsmodalitäten 19 , notwendig.…”