Gaining the patient perspective on COVID-19 and how best to respond to it

We recently conducted a survey of patients at our surgery in order to gain a better insight into patients’ understanding and concerns relating to COVID-19 and to screen for mental and physical health, and social and financial impacts of the pandemic.

Our aim was to analyse the patient responses and provide additional reassurances and support during this time. During the second and third weeks of November, 195 patients responded with an average patient age of 56 years.

When asked about risk of death from COVID-19, 58% of patients believed the risk was higher than the currently reported infection fatality rate (IFR) of 1.06%.¹ The average age of patients responding to the survey was 56, for which the IFR was 0.57%.¹ In total, 81% of our patients had concern about their risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19. In addition, 89% of patients …