General Practitioners' Experiences During the First Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy: A Critical Incident Technique Study

• DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.623904
• Publication Date: 2021-02-03T14:04:47Z
• Authors: Peter Konstantin ...; Alice Serafini; Michela Demontis; Arianna Serafini; Alessandro Mereu; Maria Francesca Moro; Mauro Giovanni Carta; Luca Ghirotto
• Keywords: Pandemic; Computer-assisted web interviewing

Since February 2020, when coronavirus disease began to spread in Italy, general practitioners (GPs) were called manage a growing number of health situations. The challenges experienced by Italian GPs remained unrevealed. This study aimed at exploring GPs' care experiences and practices associated with critical incidents during the first wave pandemic. A qualitative design involving incident technique through an online survey was applied. Sociodemographic data open-ended responses collected. While participants' characteristics analyzed descriptive statistics, thematically employing framework method. 149 responded 99 participants completed (dropout rate = 33%). Eight themes emerged indicating factors related organization healthcare system clinical management patients, that perceived as impacting on provision. analysis revealed difficulties communicating other local services. This, together lack coordination among services, reported major challenge. Primary having been undervalued criticalities GP courses, led bureaucratic fashion, posed risk some trainees be infected. digital technologies adopted for remote patient consultations seen useful tools daily practice helping stay emotionally connected their patients. Besides, improvement GP–patient relationship terms solidarity between patients doctors compliance rules, had positive impact. Moreover, many respondents addressed importance professional collaboration teamwork, both support practical issues (to find PPE, diagnostics guidelines) emotional support. At same time, resources (e.g., swabs) specific guidelines protocols impacted Our findings suggest Italy are being left behind within epidemic management. Communication services essential should substantially improved, primary research initiated collect context-specific evidence necessary enhance system's preparedness public emergencies quality