Primary and Community Care Transformation in Post-COVID Era: Nationwide General Practitioner Survey
Year: 2023
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: The health emergency caused by COVID-19 has led to substantial changes in the usual working system of primary healthcare centers and in relations with users. The Catalan Society of Family and Community Medicine designed a survey that aimed to collect the opinions and facilitate the participation of its partners on what the future work model of general practitioners (GPs) should look like post-COVID-19. Methodology: Online survey of Family and Community Medicine members consisting of filiation data, 22 Likert-type multiple-choice questions grouped in five thematic axes, and a free text question. Results: The number of respondents to the questionnaire was 1051 (22.6% of all members): 83.2% said they spent excessive time on bureaucratic tasks; 91.8% were against call center systems; 66% believed that home care is the responsibility of every family doctor; 77.5% supported continuity of care as a fundamental value of patient-centered care; and >90% defended the contracting of complementary tests and first hospital visits from primary healthcare (PHC). Conclusions: The survey responses describe a strong consensus on the identity and competencies of the GP and on the needs of and the threats to the PHC system. The demand for an increase in health resources, greater professional leadership, elimination of bureaucracy, an increase in the number of health professionals, and greater management autonomy, are the axes towards which a new era in PHC should be directed.
Authors: Mònica Solanes-Cabús, Eugeni Paredes, Esther Limón, Josep Basora, Iris Alarcón, Irene Veganzones, Laura Conangla, Núria Casado, Yolanda Ortega, Jordi Mestres, Jordi Acezat, Joan Deniel, Joan Josep Cabré, Daniel Sánchez Ruiz, Marcos Sánchez, Aroa Illa, Ignasi Viñas, Juan José Montero, Francesc Xavier Cantero, Anna Rodriguez, Francisco Martín, Montserrat Baré, Rosa Ripollés, Montse Castellet, Joan Lozano, Antoni Sisó-Almirall
Institutions: Catalan Society of Family and Community Medicine, Institut Català de la Salut, Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Atenció Primària Jordi Gol, Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya, Badalona Serveis Assistencials, EAP Sardenya, Consorci d’Atenció Primària de Salut Barcelona Esquerra, Universitat de Barcelona
Language: English
Subfield: Family Practice
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,780
OpenAlex ID: W4316465083