Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Family Medicine Clinical Practices During the Second Wave

Abstract

Background/Aims: It is seen that there are various changes brought by the process within the legislation and in various practices in primary health care services in extraordinary health situations such as pandemics. In this study, it was aimed to determine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on some clinical practices of family physicians in Turkey. Methods: The descriptive study was applied to family physicians working actively in family health centers between February 15, 2021 and April 1, 2021. Family physicians working actively in family health centers formed the universe. Physicians were asked through online-survey questions regarding specific follow-ups and changes they made in some clinical practices, the changes in the number of applications, and the arrangements they made in this regard. Results: 912 people participated in the study. 59.9% were male, 60.2% had been practicing family medicine for more than 10 years. 63.9% had PCR test and 26.8% had antibody test. 16.1% were diagnosed with COVID-19. 84% of them went to Family Health Center (FHC) every day during the pandemic. While 48.2% of them were doing triage, 53.6% of the participants stated that the number of applications decreased. 65.2% of them did their pregnant-baby-child follow-ups during the COVID-19 pandemic as before the pandemic, 24.7% carried out by appointment. 54.3% made a change in the FHC layout and terms. 50.2% stated that they did not follow up on chronic diseases during the COVID-19 period, 59.2% stated that there was a decrease in the number. 66.7% of them made their childhood vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic as before the pandemic, 24.7% carried out by appointment, and the number of applications for 73.6% did not change. 63.6% of them made adult vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic as before the pandemic, the number of applications increased by 58.2%, and 73% were encouraging individuals. The number of those who came for general health status reports (driver's license, mental ability, job security, etc.) did not change by 53%, but increased by 23.6%. Conclusion: The pandemic period has caused serious changes in family medicine clinical practices; family physicians have made various arrangements to carry out their current work in this period and have made an effort to convey this situation to the public.