The impact of COVID-19 on chronic care according to providers: a qualitative study among primary care practices in Belgium
Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic affects the processes of routine care for chronic patients. A better understanding helps to increase resilience of the health system and prepare adequately for next waves of the pandemic. Methods A qualitative study was conducted in 16 primary care practices...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-12-01
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| Series: | BMC Family Practice |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-020-01326-3 |
| _version_ | 1828298651007451136 |
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| author | Katrien Danhieux Veerle Buffel Anthony Pairon Asma Benkheil Roy Remmen Edwin Wouters Josefien van Olmen |
| author_facet | Katrien Danhieux Veerle Buffel Anthony Pairon Asma Benkheil Roy Remmen Edwin Wouters Josefien van Olmen |
| author_sort | Katrien Danhieux |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic affects the processes of routine care for chronic patients. A better understanding helps to increase resilience of the health system and prepare adequately for next waves of the pandemic. Methods A qualitative study was conducted in 16 primary care practices: 6 solo working, 4 monodisciplinary and 7 multidisciplinary. Twenty-one people (doctors, nurses, dieticians) were interviewed, using semi-structured video interviews. A thematic analysis was done using the domains of the Chronic Care Model (CCM). Results Three themes emerged: changes in health care organization, risk stratification and self-management support. All participating practices reported drastic changes in organization with a collective shift towards COVID-19 care, and reduction of chronic care activities, less consultations, and staff responsible for self-management support put on hold. A transition to digital support did not occur. Few practitioners had a systematic approach to identify and contact high-risk patients for early follow-up. A practice with a pre-established structured team collaboration managed to continue most chronic care elements. Generally, practitioners expected no effects of the temporary disruption for patients, although they expressed concern about patients already poorly regulated. Conclusion Our findings show a disruption of the delivery of chronic care in the Belgium prim care context. In such contexts, the establishment of the CCM can facilitate continuity of care in crisis times. Short term actions should be directed to facilitate identifying high-risk patients and to develop a practice organization plan to organize chronic care and use digital channels for support, especially to vulnerable patients, during next waves of the epidemic. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T12:44:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-47fba88650f843b6b986e6da3a333d06 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2296 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T12:44:36Z |
| publishDate | 2020-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Family Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-47fba88650f843b6b986e6da3a333d062022-12-22T02:46:25ZengBMCBMC Family Practice1471-22962020-12-012111610.1186/s12875-020-01326-3The impact of COVID-19 on chronic care according to providers: a qualitative study among primary care practices in BelgiumKatrien Danhieux0Veerle Buffel1Anthony Pairon2Asma Benkheil3Roy Remmen4Edwin Wouters5Josefien van Olmen6University of Antwerp, Primary and Interdisciplinary CareUniversity of Antwerp, Centre for Population, Family & HealthUniversity of Antwerp, Primary and Interdisciplinary CareUniversity of Antwerp, Primary and Interdisciplinary CareUniversity of Antwerp, Primary and Interdisciplinary CareUniversity of Antwerp, Centre for Population, Family & HealthUniversity of Antwerp, Primary and Interdisciplinary CareAbstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic affects the processes of routine care for chronic patients. A better understanding helps to increase resilience of the health system and prepare adequately for next waves of the pandemic. Methods A qualitative study was conducted in 16 primary care practices: 6 solo working, 4 monodisciplinary and 7 multidisciplinary. Twenty-one people (doctors, nurses, dieticians) were interviewed, using semi-structured video interviews. A thematic analysis was done using the domains of the Chronic Care Model (CCM). Results Three themes emerged: changes in health care organization, risk stratification and self-management support. All participating practices reported drastic changes in organization with a collective shift towards COVID-19 care, and reduction of chronic care activities, less consultations, and staff responsible for self-management support put on hold. A transition to digital support did not occur. Few practitioners had a systematic approach to identify and contact high-risk patients for early follow-up. A practice with a pre-established structured team collaboration managed to continue most chronic care elements. Generally, practitioners expected no effects of the temporary disruption for patients, although they expressed concern about patients already poorly regulated. Conclusion Our findings show a disruption of the delivery of chronic care in the Belgium prim care context. In such contexts, the establishment of the CCM can facilitate continuity of care in crisis times. Short term actions should be directed to facilitate identifying high-risk patients and to develop a practice organization plan to organize chronic care and use digital channels for support, especially to vulnerable patients, during next waves of the epidemic.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-020-01326-3COVID-19Chronic illnessQualitative researchContinuity of carePractice managementTelemedicine |
| spellingShingle | Katrien Danhieux Veerle Buffel Anthony Pairon Asma Benkheil Roy Remmen Edwin Wouters Josefien van Olmen The impact of COVID-19 on chronic care according to providers: a qualitative study among primary care practices in Belgium BMC Family Practice COVID-19 Chronic illness Qualitative research Continuity of care Practice management Telemedicine |
| title | The impact of COVID-19 on chronic care according to providers: a qualitative study among primary care practices in Belgium |
| title_full | The impact of COVID-19 on chronic care according to providers: a qualitative study among primary care practices in Belgium |
| title_fullStr | The impact of COVID-19 on chronic care according to providers: a qualitative study among primary care practices in Belgium |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of COVID-19 on chronic care according to providers: a qualitative study among primary care practices in Belgium |
| title_short | The impact of COVID-19 on chronic care according to providers: a qualitative study among primary care practices in Belgium |
| title_sort | impact of covid 19 on chronic care according to providers a qualitative study among primary care practices in belgium |
| topic | COVID-19 Chronic illness Qualitative research Continuity of care Practice management Telemedicine |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-020-01326-3 |
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