RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Access to general practice during COVID-19-a cross-sectional view of the opinions of adults who use social media
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 3117
DO 10.1370/afm.20.s1.3117
VO 20
IS Supplement 1
A1 Mineva, Gabriela
A1 Kiroplis, Irene
A1 Rogers, Bethany
A1 Pearl, Dana
A1 Abohalima, Yasmin
A1 O’Donnell, Patrick
A1 MCCOOL, AOIBHIN
A1 hayes, peter
A1 Volz, Monika
YR 2022
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/20/Supplement_1/3117.abstract
AB Background/Aim: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual consultations have become commonplace, and access to healthcare more complex. The study was designed to examine the impact COVID-19 has had on access to general practice care in Ireland.Methods: A 25-question online survey was designed in Qualtrics®. Adult patients of Irish general practices were recruited via social media between October 2020 and February 2021 and volunteered their opinions.Results: 670 persons participated. Half of all doctor-patient consultations were now completed virtually-predominantly via telephone. Overall, 497 (78%) participants accessed their healthcare teams as scheduled, and without disruption. 18% of participants (n=104) reported difficulty in accessing their long-term medications; those who are younger, and those who typically attend general practice quarterly or more, were associated most with this disruption (p<0.05). Fifty-nine instances where a new health concern was subject to an appointment cancellation or rescheduling were reported.Conclusions: Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Irish general practice has maintained its schedule for appointments in 78% of cases despite the challenges of the pandemic. Half of consultations were provided virtually; teleconsultation use was very infrequent. Maintaining the supply chain for long-term medications for patients remains a challenge during a pandemic. Authors accept that study participants were confined to those who use social media. A protocol may need to be designed by each practice to optimize the continuation of care and of medication schedules during any future pandemics.