Your browser doesn't support javascript.
Family physician leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic: roles, functions and key supports.
Mathews, Maria; Ryan, Dana; Hedden, Lindsay; Lukewich, Julia; Marshall, Emily Gard; Brown, Judith Belle; Gill, Paul S; McKay, Madeleine; Wong, Eric; Wetmore, Stephen J; Buote, Richard; Meredith, Leslie; Moritz, Lauren; Spencer, Sarah; Alexiadis, Maria; Freeman, Thomas R; Letto, Aimee; Ryan, Bridget L; Sibbald, Shannon L; Terry, Amanda Lee.
  • Mathews M; Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada.
  • Ryan D; Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada.
  • Hedden L; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada.
  • Lukewich J; Faculty of Nursing, Memorial University, St. John's, Canada.
  • Marshall EG; Department of Family Medicine Primary Care Research Unit, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada.
  • Brown JB; Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada.
  • Gill PS; Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada.
  • McKay M; Doctors Nova Scotia, Dartmouth, Canada.
  • Wong E; Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada.
  • Wetmore SJ; Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada.
  • Buote R; Department of Family Medicine Primary Care Research Unit, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada.
  • Meredith L; Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada.
  • Moritz L; Department of Family Medicine Primary Care Research Unit, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada.
  • Spencer S; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada.
  • Alexiadis M; Department of Family Practice, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Canada.
  • Freeman TR; Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada.
  • Letto A; Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association, St. John's, Canada.
  • Ryan BL; Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada.
  • Sibbald SL; Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada.
  • Terry AL; Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University London, Canada, and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Western University Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada.
Leadersh Health Serv (Bradf Engl) ; ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print)2022 07 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1961347
ABSTRACT

PURPOSE:

Strong leadership in primary care is necessary to coordinate an effective pandemic response; however, descriptions of leadership roles for family physicians are absent from previous pandemic plans. This study aims to describe the leadership roles and functions family physicians played during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada and identify supports and barriers to formalizing these roles in future pandemic plans. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/

APPROACH:

This study conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with family physicians across four regions in Canada as part of a multiple case study. During the interviews, participants were asked about their roles during each pandemic stage and the facilitators and barriers they experienced. Interviews were transcribed and a thematic analysis approach was used to identify recurring themes.

FINDINGS:

Sixty-eight family physicians completed interviews. Three key functions of family physician leadership during the pandemic were identified conveying knowledge, developing and adapting protocols for primary care practices and advocacy. Each function involved curating and synthesizing information, tailoring communications based on individual needs and building upon established relationships. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Findings demonstrate the need for future pandemic plans to incorporate formal family physician leadership appointments, as well as supports such as training, communication aides and compensation to allow family physicians to enact these key roles. ORIGINALITY/VALUE The COVID-19 pandemic presents a unique opportunity to examine the leadership roles of family physicians, which have been largely overlooked in past pandemic plans. This study's findings highlight the importance of these roles toward delivering an effective and coordinated pandemic response with uninterrupted and safe access to primary care.
Subject(s)
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 / Leadership Type of study: Observational study / Qualitative research Limits: Humans Language: English Journal subject: Health Services Research Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: LHS-03-2022-0030

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 / Leadership Type of study: Observational study / Qualitative research Limits: Humans Language: English Journal subject: Health Services Research Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: LHS-03-2022-0030