scholarly journals Patients' perceptions of Continuity of care between Primary Care Physicians and Emergency departments in Belgium: a cross-sectional survey

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (s2) ◽  
pp. 282
Author(s):  
Marlène Karam ◽  
Anne-Sophie Lambert ◽  
Jean Macq
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Continuity Of Care ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

scholarly journals Patients’ perceptions of continuity of care across primary care level and emergency departments in Belgium: cross-sectional survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. e033188
Author(s):  
Marlene Karam ◽  
Anne-Sophie Lambert ◽  
Jean Macq
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Continuity Of Care ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Structural Factors ◽  
Fee For Service ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Level ◽  
Primary Care Level ◽  
Individual Level

ObjectivesTo assess patients’ perceptions of continuity of care (COC) across primary care level and emergency departments (EDs) and to identify contextual and individual factors that influence this perception.DesignCross-sectional multicentre survey.SettingFive EDs in Brussels and Wallonia.Participants501 adult patients referred to the ED by their primary care physician (PCP). Patients with cognitive impairment or in critical condition were excluded.ResultsPatients perceived high levels of the three types of COC. On an individual level, older patients showed a perception of higher levels of continuity. Lower levels of informational and management continuity were observed among patients suffering from chronic diseases and patients with a high level of education. Patients also perceived a redundancy of medical exams, in parallel to a high degree of accessibility between care levels. On an organisational level, three structural factors were identified as barriers to COC, namely, ED workload, suboptimal sharing information system and the current fee-for-service payment system that encourages competition and hinders coordination between actors.ConclusionBelgian healthcare services seem satisfying for patients and easily accessible. However, efforts need to be directed towards improving their efficiency. A stronger primary care level is also needed to benefit the healthcare system by reducing overuse of emergency services. On the individual level, a more enhanced patient-centred approach could be beneficial in improving patients experience of care.

scholarly journals Prepared and highly committed despite the risk of COVID-19 infection: a cross-sectional survey of primary care physicians’ concerns and coping strategies in Singapore

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerrald Lau ◽  
David Hsien-Yung Tan ◽  
Gretel Jianlin Wong ◽  
Yii-Jen Lew ◽  
Ying-Xian Chua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Stress Management ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Pandemic Preparedness ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Accessible Information ◽  
And Coping

Abstract Background Primary care physicians (PCPs) are first points-of-contact between suspected cases and the healthcare system in the current COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines PCPs’ concerns, impact on personal lives and work, and level of pandemic preparedness in the context of COVID-19 in Singapore. We also examine factors and coping strategies that PCPs have used to manage stress during the outbreak. Methods Two hundred and sixteen PCPs actively practicing in either a public or private clinic were cluster sampled via email invitation from three primary care organizations in Singapore from 6th to 29th March 2020. Participants completed a cross-sectional online questionnaire consisting of items on work- and non-work-related concerns, impact on personal and work life, perceived pandemic preparedness, stress-reduction factors, and personal coping strategies related to COVID-19. Results A total of 158 questionnaires were usable for analyses. PCPs perceived themselves to be at high risk of COVID-19 infection (89.9%), and a source of risk (74.7%) and concern (71.5%) to loved ones. PCPs reported acceptance of these risks (91.1%) and the need to care for COVID-19 patients (85.4%). Overall perceived pandemic preparedness was extremely high (75.9 to 89.9%). PCPs prioritized availability of personal protective equipment, strict infection prevention guidelines, accessible information about COVID-19, and well-being of their colleagues and family as the most effective stress management factors. Conclusions PCPs continue to serve willingly on the frontlines of this pandemic despite the high perception of risk to themselves and loved ones. Healthcare organizations should continue to support PCPs by managing both their psychosocial (e.g. stress management) and professional (e.g. pandemic preparedness) needs.

scholarly journals Patients’ perception of communication at the interface between primary and secondary care: a cross-sectional survey in 34 countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giacomo Scaioli ◽  
Willemijn L. A. Schäfer ◽  
Wienke G. W. Boerma ◽  
Peter Spreeuwenberg ◽  
Michael van den Berg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Continuity Of Care ◽  
Secondary Care ◽  
Multilevel Models ◽  
Medical Specialist ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical Specialists ◽  
Results Of Treatment ◽  
Personal Doctor

Abstract Background Poor communication between general practitioners (GPs) and medical specialists can lead to poorer quality, and continuity, of care. Our study aims to assess patients’ perceptions of communication at the interface between primary and secondary care in 34 countries. It will analyse, too, whether this communication is associated with the organisation of primary care within a country, and with the characteristics of GPs and their patients. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey among patients in 34 countries. Following a GP consultation, patients were asked two questions. Did they take to understand that their GP had informed medical specialists about their illness upon referral? And, secondly, did their GP know the results of the treatment by a medical specialist? We used multi-response logistic multilevel models to investigate the association of factors related to primary care, the GP, and the patient, with the patients’ perceptions of communication at the interface between primary and secondary care. Results In total, 61,931 patients completed the questionnaire. We found large differences between countries, in both the patients’ perceptions of information shared by GPs with medical specialists, and the patients’ perceptions of the GPs’ awareness of the results of treatment by medical specialists. Patients whose GPs stated that they ‘seldom or never’ send referral letters, also less frequently perceived that their GP communicated with their medical specialists about their illness. Patients with GPs indicating they ‘seldom or never’ receive feedback from medical specialists, indicated less frequently that their GP would know the results of treatment by a medical specialist. Moreover, patients with a personal doctor perceived higher rates of communication in both directions at the interface between primary and secondary care. Conclusion Generally, patients perceive there to be high rates of communication at the interface between primary and secondary care, but there are large differences between countries. Policies aimed at stimulating personal doctor arrangements could, potentially, enhance the continuity of care between primary and secondary care.

Transfer of care of postsurgical patients from hospital to the community setting: cross-sectional survey of primary care physicians

2015 ◽  
Vol 210 (4) ◽  
pp. 778-782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Navjeet K. Uppal ◽  
David Eisen ◽  
Jeff Weissberger ◽  
Roy J. Wyman ◽  
David R. Urbach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Community Setting ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Transfer Of Care

scholarly journals General practitioner attitudes and confidence to deprescribing for elderly patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pier Riccardo Rossi ◽  
Sarah E. Hegarty ◽  
Vittorio Maio ◽  
Marco Lombardi ◽  
Andrea Pizzini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Care Physician ◽  
Local Health Authority ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Affecting

Deprescribing is a patient-centered process of medication withdrawal intended to achieve improved health outcomes through discontinuation of one or more medications that are either potentially harmful or no longer required. The objective of this study was to assess the perceptions of primary care physicians on deprescribing and potential barriers to deprescribing in the Local Health Authority (LHA) of Turin, Piedmont, Italy. Secondary objective was to evaluate educational needs of primary care physician. Cross sectional survey of primary care physicians working in the LHA of Turin, Piedmont, Italy. 439 GPs (71.3% of the total number of primary care physicians) attended an educational session related to deprescribing and were asked to anonymously answer a paper survey. Participants were asked to complete a previously published questionnaire about deprescribing and potential factors affecting the deprescribing process. A correlation coefficient was calculated to assess the association between physicians’ confidence in deprescribing and attitudes or barriers associated with deprescribing. Many GPs (71%) reported general confidence in their ability to deprescribe. Most respondents (83%) reported they were comfortable deprescribing preventive medications, however almost half expressed doubts regarding deprescribing when medication was initially prescribed by a colleague (45%) or when patient and/or caregiver supported the opportunity to continue the assumption (49%). Around a third of doctors maintain that the absence of strong evidence supporting deprescribing prevents them from considering it (38%), that they do not have the necessary time to effectively go through the process of deprescribing (29%), and that fear of possible effects due on withdrawal prevents them from deprescribing (31%). There was no strong correlation between physicians’ confidence and attitudes or barriers associated with deprescribing. The present study confirms that general practitioners sense the importance of deprescribing and feel prepared to face it managing communication with patients and caregivers, but find barriers when enacting the practice in a real-life context.

Disclosure of Natural Product Use to Primary Care Physicians: A Cross-sectional Survey of Naturopathic Clinic Attendees

2005 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 616-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason W. Busse ◽  
Graham Heaton ◽  
Ping Wu ◽  
Kumanan R. Wilson ◽  
Edward J. Mills
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Natural Product ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Product Use

scholarly journals Identifying antibiotic prescribing patterns through multi-level latent profile analyses: a cross-sectional survey of primary care physicians in Hubei of China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Wang ◽  
Chaojie Liu ◽  
Xinping Zhang ◽  
Chenxi Liu
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Prescribing Patterns ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Prescribing Practices ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Latent Profile Analyses ◽  
Broad Spectrum Antibiotics

Abstract Background Overuse of antibiotics significantly fuels the development of AMR, which threating the global population health. Great variations existed in antibiotic prescribing practices among physicians, indicating improvement potential for rational use of antibiotics. This study aims to identify antibiotic prescribing patterns of primary care physicians and potential determinants. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 551 physicians from 67 primary care facilities in Hubei selected through random cluster sampling, tapping into their knowledge, attitudes and prescribing practices toward antibiotics. Prescriptions (n=501,072) made by the participants from 1 January to 31 March 2018 were extracted from the medical records system. Seven indicators were calculated for each prescriber: average number of medicines per prescription, average number of antibiotics per prescription, percentage of prescriptions containing antibiotics, percentage of antibiotic prescriptions containing broad-spectrum antibiotics, percentage of antibiotic prescriptions containing parenteral administered antibiotics, percentage of antibiotic prescriptions containing restricted antibiotics, and percentage of antibiotic prescriptions containing antibiotics included in the WHO “Watch and Reserve” list. Two-level latent profile analyses were performed to identify the antibiotic prescribing patterns of physicians based on those indicators. Multi-nominal logistic regression models were established to identify determinants with the antibiotic prescribing patterns. Results On average, each primary care physician issued 909 (ranging from 100 to 11941 with a median of 474) prescriptions over the study period. The mean percentage of prescriptions containing antibiotics issued by the physicians reached 52.19% (SD=17.20%). Of those antibiotic prescriptions, an average of 82.29% (SD=15.83%) contained broad-spectrum antibiotics; 71.92% (SD=21.42%) contained parenteral administered antibiotics; 23.52% (SD=19.12%) contained antibiotics restricted by the regional government; and 67.74% (SD=20.98%) contained antibiotics listed in the WHO “Watch and Reserve” list. About 28.49% of the prescribers were identified as low antibiotic users, compared with 51.18% medium users and 20.33% high users. Higher use of antibiotics was associated with insufficient knowledge, indifference to changes, complacency with satisfied patients, low household income and rural location of the prescribers. Conclusion Great variation in antibiotic prescribing patterns exists among primary care physicians in Hubei of China. High use of antibiotics is not only associated with knowledge shortfalls but also low socioeconomic status of prescribers.

scholarly journals How Much Do Mental Health and Substance Use/Addiction Affect Use of General Medical Services? Extent of Use, Reason for Use, and Associated Costs

2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Graham ◽  
Joyce Cheng ◽  
Sharon Bernards ◽  
Samantha Wells ◽  
Jürgen Rehm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Health Care Costs ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Costs

Objective: To measure service use and costs associated with health care for patients with mental health (MH) and substance use/addiction (SA) problems. Methods: A 5-year cross-sectional study (2007-2012) of administrative health care data was conducted (average annual sample size = 123,235 adults aged >18 years who had a valid Ontario health care number and used at least 1 service during the year; 55% female). We assessed average annual use of primary care, emergency departments and hospitals, and overall health care costs for patients identified as having MH only, SA only, co-occurring MH and SA problems (MH+SA), and no MH and/or SA (MH/SA) problems. Total visits/admissions and total non-MH/SA visits (i.e., excluding MH/SA visits) were regressed separately on MH, SA, and MH+SA cases compared to non-MH/SA cases using the 2011-2012 sample ( N = 123,331), controlling for age and sex. Results: Compared to non-MH/SA patients, MH/SA patients were significantly ( P < 0.001) more likely to visit primary care physicians (1.82 times as many visits for MH-only patients, 4.24 for SA, and 5.59 for MH+SA), use emergency departments (odds, 1.53 [MH], 3.79 [SA], 5.94 [MH+SA]), and be hospitalized (odds, 1.59 [MH], 4.10 [SA], 7.82 [MH+SA]). MH/SA patients were also significantly more likely than non-MH/SA patients to have non-MH/SA-related visits and accounted for 20% of the sample but over 30% of health care costs. Conclusions: MH and SA are core issues for all health care settings. MH/SA patients use more services overall and for non-MH/SA issues, with especially high use and costs for MH+SA patients.

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