The diversity of opinion among general practitioners regarding the threat and measures against COVID-19 – Cross-sectional survey
Background After the ‘first wave’ in spring 2020, opinions regarding the threat and measures against COVID-19 seemed to vary among German general practitioners (GPs). Objectives To systematically investigate opinions and to identify subgroups of GPs sharing similar views. Methods A questionnaire was...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2021-01-01
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| Series: | European Journal of General Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13814788.2021.1954155 |
| _version_ | 1798019731354025984 |
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| author | Klaus Linde Christian Bergmaier Marion Torge Niklas Barth Antonius Schneider Alexander Hapfelmeier |
| author_facet | Klaus Linde Christian Bergmaier Marion Torge Niklas Barth Antonius Schneider Alexander Hapfelmeier |
| author_sort | Klaus Linde |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background After the ‘first wave’ in spring 2020, opinions regarding the threat and measures against COVID-19 seemed to vary among German general practitioners (GPs). Objectives To systematically investigate opinions and to identify subgroups of GPs sharing similar views. Methods A questionnaire was sent to all 210 practices accredited for undergraduate teaching of family medicine at the Medical Faculty of the Technical University of Munich. Questions addressed personal opinions regarding risks, dilemmas, restrictions and their relaxation associated with COVID-19, and personal fears, symptoms of depression and anxiety. Patterns of strong opinions (‘archetypes’) were identified using archetypal analysis, a statistical method seeking extremal points in the multidimensional data. Results One hundred and sixty-one GPs sent back a questionnaire (response rate 77%); 143 (68%) with complete data for all 38 relevant variables could be included in the analysis. We identified four archetypes with subgroups of GPs tending in the direction of these archetypes: a small group of ‘Sceptics’ (n = 12/8%) considering threats of COVID-19 as overrated and measures taken as exaggerated; ‘Hardliners’ (n = 34/24%) considering threats high and supporting strong measures; ‘Balancers’ (n = 77/54%) who also rated the threats high but were more critical about potentially impairing the quality of life of elderly people and children; and ‘Anxious’ GPs (n = 20/14%) tending to report more fear, depressive and anxiety symptoms. Conclusion Among the participants in this survey, opinions regarding the threat and the measures taken against COVID-19 during the ‘first wave’ in Germany in spring 2020 varied greatly. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T16:45:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f465fe13e91941179cbbd941b641b0f5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1381-4788 1751-1402 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T16:45:40Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Journal of General Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-f465fe13e91941179cbbd941b641b0f52022-12-22T04:13:35ZengTaylor & Francis GroupEuropean Journal of General Practice1381-47881751-14022021-01-0127117618310.1080/13814788.2021.19541551954155The diversity of opinion among general practitioners regarding the threat and measures against COVID-19 – Cross-sectional surveyKlaus Linde0Christian Bergmaier1Marion Torge2Niklas Barth3Antonius Schneider4Alexander Hapfelmeier5Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, Technical University MunichInstitute of General Practice and Health Services Research, Technical University MunichInstitute of General Practice and Health Services Research, Technical University MunichInstitute of General Practice and Health Services Research, Technical University MunichInstitute of General Practice and Health Services Research, Technical University MunichInstitute of General Practice and Health Services Research, Technical University MunichBackground After the ‘first wave’ in spring 2020, opinions regarding the threat and measures against COVID-19 seemed to vary among German general practitioners (GPs). Objectives To systematically investigate opinions and to identify subgroups of GPs sharing similar views. Methods A questionnaire was sent to all 210 practices accredited for undergraduate teaching of family medicine at the Medical Faculty of the Technical University of Munich. Questions addressed personal opinions regarding risks, dilemmas, restrictions and their relaxation associated with COVID-19, and personal fears, symptoms of depression and anxiety. Patterns of strong opinions (‘archetypes’) were identified using archetypal analysis, a statistical method seeking extremal points in the multidimensional data. Results One hundred and sixty-one GPs sent back a questionnaire (response rate 77%); 143 (68%) with complete data for all 38 relevant variables could be included in the analysis. We identified four archetypes with subgroups of GPs tending in the direction of these archetypes: a small group of ‘Sceptics’ (n = 12/8%) considering threats of COVID-19 as overrated and measures taken as exaggerated; ‘Hardliners’ (n = 34/24%) considering threats high and supporting strong measures; ‘Balancers’ (n = 77/54%) who also rated the threats high but were more critical about potentially impairing the quality of life of elderly people and children; and ‘Anxious’ GPs (n = 20/14%) tending to report more fear, depressive and anxiety symptoms. Conclusion Among the participants in this survey, opinions regarding the threat and the measures taken against COVID-19 during the ‘first wave’ in Germany in spring 2020 varied greatly.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13814788.2021.1954155covid-19infectious diseasesattitudesgeneral practicesurvey |
| spellingShingle | Klaus Linde Christian Bergmaier Marion Torge Niklas Barth Antonius Schneider Alexander Hapfelmeier The diversity of opinion among general practitioners regarding the threat and measures against COVID-19 – Cross-sectional survey European Journal of General Practice covid-19 infectious diseases attitudes general practice survey |
| title | The diversity of opinion among general practitioners regarding the threat and measures against COVID-19 – Cross-sectional survey |
| title_full | The diversity of opinion among general practitioners regarding the threat and measures against COVID-19 – Cross-sectional survey |
| title_fullStr | The diversity of opinion among general practitioners regarding the threat and measures against COVID-19 – Cross-sectional survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | The diversity of opinion among general practitioners regarding the threat and measures against COVID-19 – Cross-sectional survey |
| title_short | The diversity of opinion among general practitioners regarding the threat and measures against COVID-19 – Cross-sectional survey |
| title_sort | diversity of opinion among general practitioners regarding the threat and measures against covid 19 cross sectional survey |
| topic | covid-19 infectious diseases attitudes general practice survey |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13814788.2021.1954155 |
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