Marco Toselli, MD; Ignazio Palazzi, MD; Martina Lambertini, MD; Andrea Maurizzi, MD; Alberto Cereda, MD; Arif Khokhar, BM, BCh; Stefano Landi, MD; Fabrizio Toscano, MD; Giovanni Marasco, MD
Corresponding Author: Marco Toselli, MD; Maria Cecilia Hospital. Email: marco.toselli2@gmail.com
Section: Research Letter
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Background: since December 2019, the dramatic escalation in Corona virus (COVID-19) cases worldwide has had a significant impact upon healthcare systems. Family practitioners (FPs) played a critical role in the coordination of healthcare between patients and hospitals or new COVID-19 units. Materials and methods: we performed an online prospective survey to assess the impact of the pandemic on FPs practice. It was supported and delivered by the Local Association of Physicians of Forli-Cesena and Rimini, Emilia Romagna, Italy from the 16th-30th of April 2020. Results: A total of 300 FPs were included, mean age was 53.6±13.5 years. 60.2% reported >75/week outpatient visits before the pandemic which reduced down to an average of <20/week for 79.8% of FPs. 24.2% of FPs discontinued home visits, whilst for 94.7% of FPs there was a >50% increase in the number of telephone consultations. Concern related to the risk of contagion was elevated (≥3/5 in 74.6%) and even higher to the risk of infecting relatives and patients (≥3/5 in 93.3%). The majority of FPs (87%) supported the role of telemedicine in the near future. The satisfaction regarding the network with hospitals/COVID-19 dedicated wards received a score ≤2/5 in 46.9% of the cases. Conclusions: A collaboration is needed with well-established networks between FPs and referral centers. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the working practices of FPs. This necessity for change provided new insights and opportunities to inform future working practices.