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Healthcare professionals' perceptions of impacts of the Covid-19-pandemic on outpatient care in rural areas: a qualitative study.
Hoerold, Madlen; Gottschalk, Marc; Debbeler, Carla Maria; Heytens, Heike; Ehrentreich, Saskia; Braun-Dullaeus, Ruediger C; Apfelbacher, Christian.
  • Hoerold M; Institute of Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Medical Faculty, Otto von Guericke Universität Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany. madlen.hoerold@med.ovgu.de.
  • Gottschalk M; University Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Medical Faculty, Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.
  • Debbeler CM; Institute of Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Medical Faculty, Otto von Guericke Universität Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.
  • Heytens H; Institute of Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Medical Faculty, Otto von Guericke Universität Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.
  • Ehrentreich S; Institute of Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Medical Faculty, Otto von Guericke Universität Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.
  • Braun-Dullaeus RC; University Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Medical Faculty, Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.
  • Apfelbacher C; Institute of Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Medical Faculty, Otto von Guericke Universität Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.
BMC Health Serv Res ; 21(1): 1298, 2021 Dec 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1551207
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Measures to manage the COVID-19 pandemic have led to impacts on healthcare systems and providers worldwide. Outpatient healthcare professionals (HCPs) provide the majority of patient care. Insight into their experiences during a pandemic is rare. Therefore, we explored how primary and secondary care HCPs in a rural area in Germany experienced their work during the pandemic and what health-related outcomes they perceived in their patients. In this context, we also examined the impact on access to and utilization of healthcare and working conditions.

METHODS:

We conducted a qualitative interview study with outpatient HCPs. We recruited by e-mail, telephone, professional networks and personal contacts. Data were collected between August 2020 and January 2021. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analysed using qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS:

Our sample consisted of 28 HCPs (15 family physicians, 7 cardiologists, and 6 non-physician assistants, 12 female) from Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. HCPs experienced fewer consultations as well as cancellations by hospitals and secondary care physicians, especially at the beginning of the Covid-19-pandemic, while they continued throughout to provide outpatient care. They quickly adopted changes in practice organisation and healthcare provision. There was a shift towards telephone consultations, home visits as well as unconventional consultations e.g. through the practice window. Family physicians used personal relationships to support utilization of healthcare and to avoid health-related effects. Social tension and burden seemed to interact with a perceived lack of preparedness, the pandemic-related changes in their working condition as well as access to and utilization of healthcare. Chronic disease monitoring was postponed, which could have consequences in the course of disease of patients. HCPs experienced effects on patients' psychological well-being.

CONCLUSION:

Our study demonstrates the impacts of Covid-19-pandemic on outpatient care in rural areas and emphasizes its importance. HCPs experienced impacts on access to and utilization of healthcare, working conditions and health-related outcomes. Health policy should create a framework for healthcare to support outpatient care in rural areas with a looming undersupply of primary and secondary care in order to maintain healthcare and reduce pandemic impacts.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Female / Humans Language: English Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Journal subject: Health Services Research Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12913-021-07261-y

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Female / Humans Language: English Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Journal subject: Health Services Research Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12913-021-07261-y