Coronavirus Disease and General Practitioners in Luxembourg: a pandemic experience. Recommandations for the FutureRE

The COVID-19 is a pandemic with no precedents in the world. GPs are at the forefront of the first intervention. Therefore, a current evaluation of their experiences while performing their role is necessary to develop new strategies, prepare plans for future pandemics, and improve the care provided. Our aims were investigated to; (i) Analyze challenges while performing their role in this context (ii) Identify problems, needs, and opportunities associated with their experiences and (iii) Determine their proposals for an improvement in the management of future pandemics. Methodology: From April 17, 2020, to August 18, 2020, a qualitative study was conducted with semi-structured interviews among GPs in Luxembourg. A content thematic categorical analysis was performed. Verbatims were extracted and regrouped into categories and categories reformulated into items. A total of 60 items were classified into dimensions to cover the study aims. Results: 18 GPs have participated. They expressed difficulties in managing COVID19 related patients, guaranteeing continuity of care of non-COVID patients, implementing telehealth, managing their self-protection (physical and psychological), solving information gap problems, and deficient communication with authorities. Additionally, GPs proposed to involve more family medicine in the health care system and to improve its relationships with other healthcare organizations and professionals. Develop protocols and guidelines addressed to GPs. Professionalized communication, as well as improve the use of eHealth and virtual platforms. Conclusion: Our findings reinforce the importance of developing new strategies to empower family medicine in the healthcare system during and after the pandemic-period and improve coordination and communication with authorities and patients

The role of primary health care in long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic in 30 European countries : a retrospective descriptive study (Eurodata study)

Background and aim:Primary health care (PHC) supported long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in attending COVID-19 patients. The aim of this study is to describe the role of PHC in LTCFs in Europe during the early phase of the pandemic.Methods:Retrospective descriptive study from 30 European countries using data from September 2020 collected with an ad hoc semi-structured questionnaire. Related variables are SARS-CoV-2 testing, contact tracing, follow-up, additional testing, and patient care.Results:Twenty-six out of the 30 European countries had PHC involvement in LTCFs during the COVID-19 pandemic. PHC participated in initial medical care in 22 countries, while, in 15, PHC was responsible for SARS-CoV-2 test along with other institutions. Supervision of individuals in isolation was carried out mostly by LTCF staff, but physical examination or symptom's follow-up was performed mainly by PHC.Conclusion:PHC has participated in COVID-19 pandemic assistance in LTCFs in coordination with LTCF staff, public health officers, and hospitals.Peer reviewe