The European journal of general practice
-
Most COVID-19 patients were treated in primary health care (PHC) in Europe. ⋯ In Europe PHC participated in many steps to diagnose, treat and monitor COVID-19 patients. Differences among countries might be addressed at European level for the management of future pandemics.
-
General practitioners (GPs) have an important role in managing patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Although pivotal, adherence to dermatological guidelines in general practice has not been assessed. ⋯ GPs' perceived adherence and barriers vary substantially across recommendations of the AD guideline. In particular, GPs reported lower adherence to recommendations concerning TCS. Next to patient-related factors, strong correlations between adherence perceived by GPs and knowledge and attitude-related barriers suggest the importance of addressing these factors as well to improve adherence.
-
The countries of the former Yugoslavia have health and education systems with the same tradition but these have changed over the years. Little is known about how family medicine teaching transitioned from face-to-face to distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ Teachers used various old and new methods to provide learning opportunities despite COVID-19 constraints. Effective technology-based strategies are essential to ensure assessment integrity and enhance the learning environment.
-
Observational Study
Clinical diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection: An observational study of respiratory tract infection in primary care in the early phase of the pandemic.
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, GPs had to distinguish SARS-CoV-2 from other aetiologies in patients presenting with respiratory tract infection (RTI) symptoms on clinical grounds and adapt management accordingly. ⋯ Correct clinical diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, without POC-testing available, appeared to be complicated.
-
Most symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections produce mild to moderate symptoms. Although most patients are managed in the outpatient setting, little is known about the effect of general practitioners' (GP) management strategies on the outcomes of COVID-19 outpatients in Italy. ⋯ GPs effectively managed an increasing number of outpatients during the first waves of the pandemic. Active monitoring and home visits were associated with reduced hospitalisation in COVID-19 outpatients.