A national survey of COVID-19 challenges, responses and effects in Australian general practice

Aust J Gen Pract. 2020 Nov;49(11):745-751. doi: 10.31128/AJGP-06-20-5465.

Abstract

Method: A national cross-sectional online survey of Australian general practitioners was conducted in April and May 2020, with 572 respondents.

Results: The COVID-19 pandemic in Australia has resulted in major changes to general practice business models. Most practices have experienced increased workload and reduced income.

Discussion: Australian general practices have undertaken major innovation and realignment to respond to staff safety and patient care challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Increased administration, reduced billable time, managing staffing and pivoting to telehealth service provision have negatively affected practice viability. Major sources of information for general practice are primary care-specific, but many practices turn to colleagues for support and resources.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Civil Defense / standards
  • Civil Defense / statistics & numerical data
  • Communicable Disease Control / organization & administration*
  • Coronavirus Infections* / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections* / prevention & control
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • General Practice* / organization & administration
  • General Practice* / trends
  • General Practitioners
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Humans
  • Mortality
  • Organizational Innovation
  • Pandemics* / prevention & control
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / prevention & control
  • Risk Management* / organization & administration
  • Risk Management* / trends
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Telemedicine / statistics & numerical data