Article Figures & Data
Tables
Clinician Length of Time as PCP Type of Medicine Practiced Area Served R1 10 years Family Urban R2 5 years Family Urban R3 8 years Family Urban R4 6 years Pediatrics Urban R5 36 years Family Urban R6 3 years Internal Urban R7 1 year Family Suburban R8 53 years Internal Suburban R9 20 years Pediatrics Urban R10 42 years Family Suburban R11 26 years Internal Suburban R12 3 years Pediatrics Urban R13 6 years Internal Urban R14 7 years Pediatrics Urban R15 34 years Internal Urban R16 34 years Internal Urban R17 16 years Family Urban R18 7 years Internal Urban R19 35 years Pediatrics Suburban R20 30 years Internal Urban R21 44 years Internal Urban R22 2 years Internal Urban R23 4 years Family Suburban R24 6 years Family Urban Abbreviations: PCP, primary care physicians.
Theme Positive Impact Negative Impact Bureaucracy Having fewer bureaucratic rules allowed for more initiatives to move forward
Local initiatives that had been on hold moved ahead
New ideas easily implemented in practices
It was unclear how to sustain changes post-pandemic (sustainability)
There was anxiety that bureaucracy would return post-pandemic
Leadership There were opportunities to accept new leadership positions
Respondents led COVID-19 related operations
Respondents had opportunities to create and deliver trainings related to telemedicine
Leaders needed to address burnout and resilience at a time when everyone was overwhelmed
Telemedicine and Patient Care Telemedicine was more efficient, flexible, accessible, and convenient for patients
Telemedicine allowed more frequent connection with patients
Telemedicine restored the importance of the patient interview
Telemedicine strengthened patient relationships via more relaxed virtual visits
Not all populations can access telemedicine, so some patients were left behind
It was difficult to address social issues without the full team in the office and the ability to make warm hand-offs
It was difficult to build relationships with new patients
Virtual exam room was not ready for the transition to telehealth
There were inadequate diagnosis processes via telemedicine
Clinician Work-life Respondents found that telemedicine increased their work-life balance
Some respondents found they had a higher level of exhaustion from telemedicine sessions
Respondents were frustrated and dissatisfied by the imperfect rollout of telehealth
