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Spencer S, Lukewich J, Marshall EG, Mathews M, Asghari S, Brown JB, Freeman TR, Gill P, Idrees S, McCracken RK, Ranade S, Slade S, Terry AL, Wickett J, Wong E, Buote R, Meredith L, Moritz L, Ryan D, Hedden L. "Family doctors are also people": a qualitative analysis of how family physicians managed competing personal and professional responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH 2024; 22:18. [PMID: 38439084 PMCID: PMC10913223 DOI: 10.1186/s12960-024-00901-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family physicians (FPs) fill an essential role in public health emergencies yet have frequently been neglected in pandemic response plans. This exclusion harms FPs in their clinical roles and has unintended consequences in the management of concurrent personal responsibilities, many of which were amplified by the pandemic. The objective of our study was to explore the experiences of FPs during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic to better understand how they managed their competing professional and personal priorities. METHODS We conducted semi-structured interviews with FPs from four Canadian regions between October 2020 and June 2021. Employing a maximum variation sampling approach, we recruited participants until we achieved saturation. Interviews explored FPs' personal and professional roles and responsibilities during the pandemic, the facilitators and barriers that they encountered, and any gender-related experiences. Transcribed interviews were thematically analysed. RESULTS We interviewed 68 FPs during the pandemic and identified four overarching themes in participants' discussion of their personal experiences: personal caregiving responsibilities, COVID-19 risk navigation to protect family members, personal health concerns, and available and desired personal supports for FPs to manage their competing responsibilities. While FPs expressed a variety of ways in which their personal experiences made their professional responsibilities more complicated, rarely did that affect the extent to which they participated in the pandemic response. CONCLUSIONS For FPs to contribute fully to a pandemic response, they must be factored into pandemic plans. Failure to appreciate their unique role and circumstances often leaves FPs feeling unsupported in both their professional and personal lives. Comprehensive planning in anticipation of future pandemics must consider FPs' varied responsibilities, health concerns, and necessary precautions. Having adequate personal and practice supports in place will facilitate the essential role of FPs in responding to a pandemic crisis while continuing to support their patients' primary care needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Spencer
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Julia Lukewich
- Faculty of Nursing, Memorial University, 300 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, NL, A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - Emily Gard Marshall
- Primary Care Research Unit, Department of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University, 1465 Brenton Street, Halifax, NS, B3J 3T4, Canada
| | - Maria Mathews
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1465 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6G 2M1, Canada
| | - Shabnam Asghari
- Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, 300 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, NL, A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - Judith B Brown
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1465 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6G 2M1, Canada
| | - Thomas R Freeman
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1465 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6G 2M1, Canada
| | - Paul Gill
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1465 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6G 2M1, Canada
| | - Samina Idrees
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1465 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6G 2M1, Canada
| | - Rita K McCracken
- Department of Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 5950 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Sudit Ranade
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1465 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6G 2M1, Canada
| | - Steve Slade
- The College of Family Physicians of Canada, 2630 Skymark Avenue, Mississauga, ON, L4W 5A4, Canada
| | - Amanda L Terry
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1465 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6G 2M1, Canada
| | - Jamie Wickett
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1465 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6G 2M1, Canada
| | - Eric Wong
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1465 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6G 2M1, Canada
| | - Richard Buote
- Primary Care Research Unit, Department of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University, 1465 Brenton Street, Halifax, NS, B3J 3T4, Canada
| | - Leslie Meredith
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1465 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6G 2M1, Canada
| | - Lauren Moritz
- Primary Care Research Unit, Department of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University, 1465 Brenton Street, Halifax, NS, B3J 3T4, Canada
| | - Dana Ryan
- Faculty of Nursing, Memorial University, 300 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, NL, A1B 3V6, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1465 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6G 2M1, Canada
| | - Lindsay Hedden
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada.
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Mathews M, Liu T, Ryan D, Hedden L, Lukewich J, Marshall EG, Buote R, Meredith L, Moritz LR, Spencer S, Asghari S, Brown JB, Freeman TR, Gill PS, Sibbald S. Practice- and System-Based Interventions to Reduce COVID-19 Transmission in Primary Care Settings: A Qualitative Study. Healthc Policy 2023; 19:63-78. [PMID: 38105668 PMCID: PMC10751755 DOI: 10.12927/hcpol.2023.27232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Using qualitative interviews with 68 family physicians (FPs) in Canada, we describe practice- and system-based approaches that were used to mitigate COVID-19 exposure in primary care settings across Canada to ensure the continuation of primary care delivery. Participants described how they applied infection prevention and control procedures (risk assessment, hand hygiene, control of environment, administrative control, personal protective equipment) and relied on centralized services that directed patients with COVID-19 to settings outside of primary care, such as testing centres. The multi-layered approach mitigated the risk of COVID-19 exposure while also conserving resources, preserving capacity and supporting supply chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Mathews
- Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON
| | - Tiffany Liu
- Research Assistant, Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON
| | - Dana Ryan
- Research Assistant, Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON
| | - Lindsay Hedden
- Assistant Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC
| | - Julia Lukewich
- Associate Professor, Faculty of Nursing, Memorial University, St. John's, NL
| | - Emily Gard Marshall
- Professor, Department of Family Medicine Primary Care Research Unit, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
| | - Richard Buote
- Research Assistant, Department of Family Medicine Primary Care Research Unit, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
| | - Leslie Meredith
- Research Manager, Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON
| | - Lauren R. Moritz
- Research Associate, Department of Family Medicine Primary Care Research Unit, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
| | - Sarah Spencer
- Research Coordinator, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC
| | - Shabnam Asghari
- Professor, Discipline of Family Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, NL
| | - Judith B. Brown
- Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON
| | - Thomas R. Freeman
- Professor Emeritus, Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON
| | - Paul S. Gill
- Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Lecturer, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
| | - Shannon Sibbald
- Associate Professor, School of Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON
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Mathews M, Ryan D, Hedden L, Lukewich J, Marshall EG, Asghari S, Terry AL, Buote R, Meredith L, Moritz L, Spencer S, Brown JB, Christian E, Freeman TR, Gill PS, Sibbald SL, Wong E. Family physicians' responses to personal protective equipment shortages in four regions in Canada: a qualitative study. BMC PRIMARY CARE 2023; 24:56. [PMID: 36849904 PMCID: PMC9969942 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-022-01958-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite well-documented increased demands and shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) during previous disease outbreaks, health systems in Canada were poorly prepared to meet the need for PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the primary care sector, PPE shortages impacted the delivery of health services and contributed to increased workload, fear, and anxiety among primary care providers. This study examines family physicians' (FPs) response to PPE shortages during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic to inform future pandemic planning. METHODS As part of a multiple case study, we conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with FPs across four regions in Canada. During the interviews, FPs were asked to describe the pandemic-related roles they performed over different stages of the pandemic, facilitators and barriers they experienced in performing these roles, and potential roles they could have filled. Interviews were transcribed and a thematic analysis approach was employed to identify recurring themes. For the current study, we examined themes related to PPE. RESULTS A total of 68 FPs were interviewed across the four regions. Four overarching themes were identified: 1) factors associated with good PPE access, 2) managing PPE shortages, 3) impact of PPE shortages on practice and providers, and 4) symbolism of PPE in primary care. There was a wide discrepancy in access to PPE both within and across regions, and integration with hospital or regional health authorities often resulted in better access than community-based practices. When PPE was limited, FPs described rationing and reusing these resources in an effort to conserve, which often resulted in anxiety and personal safety concerns. Many FPs expressed that PPE shortages had come to symbolize neglect and a lack of concern for the primary care sector in the pandemic response. CONCLUSIONS During the COVID-19 pandemic response, hospital-centric plans and a lack of prioritization for primary care led to shortages of PPE for family physicians. This study highlights the need to consider primary care in PPE conservation and allocation strategies and to examine the influence of the underlying organization of primary care on PPE distribution during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Mathews
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada.
| | - Dana Ryan
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Lindsay Hedden
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Julia Lukewich
- Faculty of Nursing, Memorial University, 300 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, NL, A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - Emily Gard Marshall
- Department of Family Medicine Primary Care Research Unit, Dalhousie University, 1465 Brenton Street, Suite 402, Halifax, NS, B3J 3T4, Canada
| | - Shabnam Asghari
- Discipline of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, 300 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, NL, A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - Amanda Lee Terry
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Richard Buote
- Department of Family Medicine Primary Care Research Unit, Dalhousie University, 1465 Brenton Street, Suite 402, Halifax, NS, B3J 3T4, Canada
| | - Leslie Meredith
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Lauren Moritz
- Department of Family Medicine Primary Care Research Unit, Dalhousie University, 1465 Brenton Street, Suite 402, Halifax, NS, B3J 3T4, Canada
| | - Sarah Spencer
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Judith B Brown
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Erin Christian
- Nova Scotia Health, 78 Lovett Lake Ct, Halifax, NS, B3S 1B8, Canada
| | - Thomas R Freeman
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Paul S Gill
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Shannon L Sibbald
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Eric Wong
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada.,Thames Valley Family Health Team, 1385 North Routledge Park, Unit 6, London, ON, N6H 5N5, Canada.,St. Joseph's Health Care London, Family Medical Centre, PO Box 5777, Stn B, London, ON, N6A 4V2, Canada
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Vaughan C, Lukewich J, Mathews M, Marshall EG, Hedden L, Spencer S, Ryan D, McCracken RK, Gill P, Wetmore S, Buote R, Meredith L, Moritz L, Brown JB. Family physicians' perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 on preventative care in primary care: findings from a qualitative study. Fam Pract 2022:cmac113. [PMID: 36269200 PMCID: PMC9620325 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmac113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Health system disruptions, caused by unexpected emergencies such as disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and cybercrimes, impact the delivery of routine preventative care. As comprehensive care providers, family physicians (FPs) devote significant time to prevention. However, without emergency and pandemic plans in place in primary care, FPs face added barriers to prioritizing and sustaining preventative care when health systems are strained, which was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to describe FPs' experiences providing preventative care during the COVID-19 pandemic and their perceptions of the impacts of disrupted preventative care in primary care settings. METHODS Using a qualitative descriptive approach, we conducted semistructured interviews with FPs across 4 provinces in Canada (i.e. Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, British Columbia) between October 2020 and June 2021 as part of a larger multiple case study. These interviews broadly explored the roles and responsibilities of FPs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interviews were coded thematically and codes from the larger study were analysed further using an iterative, phased process of thematic analysis. RESULTS Interviews averaged 58 min in length (range 17-97 min) and FPs had a mean of 16.9 years of experience. We identified 4 major themes from interviews with FPs (n = 68): (i) lack of capacity and coordination across health systems, (ii) patient fear, (iii) impacts on patient care, and (iv) negative impacts on FPs. Physicians voiced concerns with managing patients' prevention needs when testing availability and coordination of services was limited. Early in the pandemic, patients were also missing or postponing their own primary care appointments. Change in the provision and coordination of routine preventative care had negative impacts on both patients and physicians, affecting disease incidence/progression, physician workload, and psychological wellbeing. CONCLUSION During the COVID-19 pandemic, upstream care efforts were impacted, and FPs were forced to reduce their provision of preventative care. FPs contribute direct insight to primary care delivery that can support pandemic planning to ensure preventative care is sustained during future emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal Vaughan
- Faculty of Nursing, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John’s, Canada
| | - Julia Lukewich
- Faculty of Nursing, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John’s, Canada
| | - Maria Mathews
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada
| | | | - Lindsay Hedden
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Sarah Spencer
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Dana Ryan
- Faculty of Nursing, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John’s, Canada
| | - Rita K McCracken
- Department of Family Medicine, Providence Health Care, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Paul Gill
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health, Gateway Rural Health Institute, Goderich, Canada
| | - Stephen Wetmore
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Richard Buote
- Department of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Leslie Meredith
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Lauren Moritz
- Department of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Judith Belle Brown
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada
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