Surge capacity and practice management challenges of Canadian family physicians during COVID-19: a qualitative study

• DOI: 10.1186/s12960-025-00981-w
• Publication Date: 2025-02-25T14:38:03Z
• Authors: Maria Mathews; Dana Ryan; Lindsay Hedden; Julia Lukewich; Emily Gard Marshall; Paul Gill; Stephen J. Wetmore; Leslie Meredith; Sarah Spencer; Judith Belle Brown; Thomas R. Freeman
• Keywords: Health administration; Health Services Research; Surge Capacity; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Pandemic

Planning for surge capacity, that is, the ability of a health service to expand beyond normal capacity and meet an increased demand clinical care, is essential component public emergency preparedness. During COVID-19 pandemic, family physicians (FPs) were called upon provide in settings such as hospital units departments while also maintaining their primary care responsibilities. Most research reports on projection models, settings, or use virtual with limited focus firsthand experiences FPs this role. To address gap, study examines roles supporting during pandemic. As part mixed methods, multiple case study, we conducted semi-structured interviews between October 2020 June 2021 across four Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland Labrador). interviews, asked about they assumed different stages pandemic factors impacted fulfil these roles. Interviews transcribed verbatim thematic analysis approach was employed identify recurring themes. We interviewed total 68 identified two overarching themes: (1) mechanisms used create by FPs, (2) key considerations organized program. achieved extending FP working hours, expanding workforce, redeploying new settings. The effective implementation requires communication coordination mechanisms, policies clarify scope practice redeployment, training mentorship related redeployment roles, holding privileges, help preserve capacity. make critical contributions but require structured support balance ongoing Ensuring adequate coverage practices employing strong are high-quality managing strain system emergencies.