Beliefs and practices among primary care physicians during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Baden-Wuerttemberg (Germany): an observational study
Abstract Background During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic various ambulatory health care models (SARS-CoV-2 contact points: Subspecialised Primary Care Practices, Fever Clinics, and Special Places for Corona-Testing) were organised in a short period in Baden-Wuerttemberg, a region in Southe...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Family Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-021-01433-9 |
| _version_ | 1828338627563749376 |
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| author | Catharina Roth Amanda Breckner Sophia Moellinger Simon Schwill Frank Peters-Klimm Joachim Szecsenyi Sandra Stengel Michel Wensing |
| author_facet | Catharina Roth Amanda Breckner Sophia Moellinger Simon Schwill Frank Peters-Klimm Joachim Szecsenyi Sandra Stengel Michel Wensing |
| author_sort | Catharina Roth |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic various ambulatory health care models (SARS-CoV-2 contact points: Subspecialised Primary Care Practices, Fever Clinics, and Special Places for Corona-Testing) were organised in a short period in Baden-Wuerttemberg, a region in Southern Germany. The aim of these SARS-CoV-2 contact points was to ensure medical treatment for patients with (suspected) and without SARS-CoV-2 infection. The present study aimed to assess the beliefs and practices of primary care physicians who either led a Subspecialised Primary Care Practice or a Primary Care Practice providing care as usual in Baden-Wuerttemberg during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This cross-sectional study was based on a paper-based questionnaire in primary care physicians during the first wave of the pandemic. Participants were identified via the web page of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians Baden-Wuerttemberg. The questionnaire was distributed in June and July 2020. It measured knowledge, practices, self-efficacy and fears towards SARS-CoV-2, using newly developed questions. Data was descriptively analysed. Results One hundred fifty-five participants (92 leads of SARS-CoV-2 contact points/ 63 leads of primary care practices) completed the questionnaire. Out of 92 leads of SARS-CoV-2 contact points 74 stated to lead n Subspecialised Primary Care Practices. About half participants of both groups did not fear an own infection with the novel virus (between 50.8% and 62.2%), however about 75% feared financial loss. Knowledge was gained using various sources; main sources were the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (between 82.5% and 83.8%) and the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (RKI) (between 88.9% and 95.9%). Leads of Subspecialised Primary Care Practice felt more confident to perform anamnestic/diagnostic procedures (p < 0.001). The same was found for the confidence level regarding decision-making concerning the further treatment (p < 0.001). Several prevention measures to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 were adopted. Subspecialised Primary Care Practice had treated on average more patients with (suspected) COVID-19 (mean 408.12) than primary care practices (mean 83.8) (p < 0.001). Conclusion The results of this study suggest that the Subspecialised Primary Care Practice that were implemented during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic contributed containment of the pandemic. Leads of Subspecialised Primary Care Practice indicated that physical separation of patients with potential SARS-CoV-2 infection was easier compared to those who continued working in their own practice. Additionally, leads of Subspecialised Primary Care Practice felt more confident in dealing with patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Trial registration The study has been prospectively registered at the German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS00022224). |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T22:31:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4c6448a26da74a958ca7a2696a667737 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2296 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T22:31:24Z |
| publishDate | 2021-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Family Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-4c6448a26da74a958ca7a2696a6677372022-12-22T02:26:55ZengBMCBMC Family Practice1471-22962021-05-0122111210.1186/s12875-021-01433-9Beliefs and practices among primary care physicians during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Baden-Wuerttemberg (Germany): an observational studyCatharina Roth0Amanda Breckner1Sophia Moellinger2Simon Schwill3Frank Peters-Klimm4Joachim Szecsenyi5Sandra Stengel6Michel Wensing7Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, Heidelberg University HospitalDepartment of General Practice and Health Services Research, Heidelberg University HospitalDepartment of General Practice and Health Services Research, Heidelberg University HospitalDepartment of General Practice and Health Services Research, Heidelberg University HospitalDepartment of General Practice and Health Services Research, Heidelberg University HospitalDepartment of General Practice and Health Services Research, Heidelberg University HospitalDepartment of General Practice and Health Services Research, Heidelberg University HospitalDepartment of General Practice and Health Services Research, Heidelberg University HospitalAbstract Background During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic various ambulatory health care models (SARS-CoV-2 contact points: Subspecialised Primary Care Practices, Fever Clinics, and Special Places for Corona-Testing) were organised in a short period in Baden-Wuerttemberg, a region in Southern Germany. The aim of these SARS-CoV-2 contact points was to ensure medical treatment for patients with (suspected) and without SARS-CoV-2 infection. The present study aimed to assess the beliefs and practices of primary care physicians who either led a Subspecialised Primary Care Practice or a Primary Care Practice providing care as usual in Baden-Wuerttemberg during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This cross-sectional study was based on a paper-based questionnaire in primary care physicians during the first wave of the pandemic. Participants were identified via the web page of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians Baden-Wuerttemberg. The questionnaire was distributed in June and July 2020. It measured knowledge, practices, self-efficacy and fears towards SARS-CoV-2, using newly developed questions. Data was descriptively analysed. Results One hundred fifty-five participants (92 leads of SARS-CoV-2 contact points/ 63 leads of primary care practices) completed the questionnaire. Out of 92 leads of SARS-CoV-2 contact points 74 stated to lead n Subspecialised Primary Care Practices. About half participants of both groups did not fear an own infection with the novel virus (between 50.8% and 62.2%), however about 75% feared financial loss. Knowledge was gained using various sources; main sources were the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (between 82.5% and 83.8%) and the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (RKI) (between 88.9% and 95.9%). Leads of Subspecialised Primary Care Practice felt more confident to perform anamnestic/diagnostic procedures (p < 0.001). The same was found for the confidence level regarding decision-making concerning the further treatment (p < 0.001). Several prevention measures to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 were adopted. Subspecialised Primary Care Practice had treated on average more patients with (suspected) COVID-19 (mean 408.12) than primary care practices (mean 83.8) (p < 0.001). Conclusion The results of this study suggest that the Subspecialised Primary Care Practice that were implemented during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic contributed containment of the pandemic. Leads of Subspecialised Primary Care Practice indicated that physical separation of patients with potential SARS-CoV-2 infection was easier compared to those who continued working in their own practice. Additionally, leads of Subspecialised Primary Care Practice felt more confident in dealing with patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Trial registration The study has been prospectively registered at the German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS00022224).https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-021-01433-9COVID-19SARS-CoV-2Primary HealthcareGermanyPandemicBeliefs |
| spellingShingle | Catharina Roth Amanda Breckner Sophia Moellinger Simon Schwill Frank Peters-Klimm Joachim Szecsenyi Sandra Stengel Michel Wensing Beliefs and practices among primary care physicians during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Baden-Wuerttemberg (Germany): an observational study BMC Family Practice COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 Primary Healthcare Germany Pandemic Beliefs |
| title | Beliefs and practices among primary care physicians during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Baden-Wuerttemberg (Germany): an observational study |
| title_full | Beliefs and practices among primary care physicians during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Baden-Wuerttemberg (Germany): an observational study |
| title_fullStr | Beliefs and practices among primary care physicians during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Baden-Wuerttemberg (Germany): an observational study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Beliefs and practices among primary care physicians during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Baden-Wuerttemberg (Germany): an observational study |
| title_short | Beliefs and practices among primary care physicians during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Baden-Wuerttemberg (Germany): an observational study |
| title_sort | beliefs and practices among primary care physicians during the first wave of the covid 19 pandemic in baden wuerttemberg germany an observational study |
| topic | COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 Primary Healthcare Germany Pandemic Beliefs |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-021-01433-9 |
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