Abstract

TRANCHE IPARRAGUIRRE, Salvador; MARTIN ALVAREZ, Remedios; PARRAGA MARTINEZ, Ignacio  and  GRUPO COLABORATIVO DE LA JUNTA PERMANENTE Y DIRECTIVA DE LA SEMFYCD. The challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic for Primary Care. Rev Clin Med Fam [online]. 2021, vol.14, n.2, pp.85-92.  Epub July 26, 2021. ISSN 2386-8201.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to many changes in the healthcare system including of course in Primary Care. The pandemic has marked a before and after for primary care both on an organisational level in healthcare centres, how patient requests and requirements are tackled and how family medicine is conducted.

In March 2020 we all worried at how primary care appeared to be invisible for administrations. How the pandemic was initially managed with a hospital-centric approach probably conditioned the organisational design over the different waves. At the onset of the pandemic, Primary Care did not have tests to diagnose COVID-19, and we witnessed how concern and fear took hold over family doctors, most especially in those autonomous communities in which the virus whipped the population hard. Primary Care as always, stayed close to citizens and priority was given to telephone attention and responding to patient requests, most especially when tackling COVID-19. Primary Care worked not only as an effective protective wall for the epidemic but also to manage and resolve mild or moderate cases at home that needed hospital admission.

However, to continue managing the pandemic and the new situation organisational and management changes, more professionals and new roles were all required.

It is important to observe that for family medicine to function correctly in the 21st century and so that Primary Care comes out of this pandemic stronger, solutions entail both correct financing and a firm commitment to upholding continuity.

Keywords : Coronavirus Infections; Family Practice; Health Services Management; Primary Health Care.

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