RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 General practice attendances among patients attending a post-COVID-19 clinic: a pilot study
JF BJGP Open
JO BJGP Open
FD Royal College of General Practitioners
SP BJGPO.2021.0016
DO 10.3399/BJGPO.2021.0016
VO 5
IS 3
A1 John Broughan
A1 Geoff McCombe
A1 Gordana Avramovic
A1 Des Crowley
A1 Cheyenne Downey
A1 Joanne Downey O'Sullivan
A1 Ronan Fawsitt
A1 Tina McHugh
A1 Eileen O'Connor
A1 Carla Perrotta
A1 Aoife G Cotter
A1 John S Lambert
A1 Walter Cullen
YR 2021
UL http://bjgpopen.org/content/5/3/BJGPO.2021.0016.abstract
AB Background About 10–35% of people with COVID-19 need medical care within 3 weeks of infection. However, the prevalence of ongoing care needs among those experiencing severe COVID-19 illness is unclear.Aim This pilot study aimed to address this knowledge gap by examining GP attendance trends among patients attending a post-COVID-19 hospital follow-up clinic, 3–6 months after an initial clinic visit.Design & setting Data were collected from adult patients attending a post-COVID-19 follow-up clinic at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (MMUH), Dublin, Ireland.Method Participants completed questionnaires outlining their demographics; medical histories; emergency hospital admissions and readmissions where applicable; and, where relevant, GP attendances following hospital discharge. Analyses were conducted using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results Participants’ (n = 153) median age was 43.5 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 30.9–52.1 years). There were 105 females (68.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 61.3% to 75.9%). Various medical histories were reported among participants. Sixty-seven (43.2%, 95% CI = 35.9% to 51.6%) received emergency COVID-19 hospital care. Older adults, males, intensive care unit [ICU] admissions, and readmissions were common among hospital attendees. Of the hospital attendees, 16 (24%, 95% CI = 13.7% to 34.2%) attended GPs within 7 days of hospital discharge, and 26 (39%, 95% CI = 27.3% to 50.7%) within 30 days. Older adults, people with pre-existing medical conditions, and individuals admitted to ICU and/or readmitted to hospital were common among general practice attendees.Conclusion Persistent health issues appear to be common among patients with severe COVID-19, particularly those who are older adults, have pre-existing health problems, and who had been in ICU and/or readmission care. Larger scale studies of ongoing COVID-19 care needs in primary care and general practice are required.