RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Contacts in general practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: a register-based study
JF British Journal of General Practice
JO Br J Gen Pract
FD British Journal of General Practice
SP BJGP.2021.0703
DO 10.3399/BJGP.2021.0703
A1 Linda Huibers
A1 Bodil H Hammer
A1 Ulrik B Kirk
A1 Per Kallestrup
A1 Claus Vestergaard
A1 Morten Bondo Christensen
YR 2022
UL http://bjgp.org/content/early/2022/08/26/BJGP.2021.0703.abstract
AB Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the provision of healthcare and expanded telehealth consultations. Aim: To study the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on contact patterns in general practice, and to identify patient groups at risk of losing care. Design and setting: Register-based study in Danish general practice, including daytime and out-of-hours (OOH) services. Methods: All individuals residing in Denmark from 1 January 2017 to 31 October 2020 were included. We calculated the incidence rate (IR) for six contact types in general practice and adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) by comparing the IR in the pandemic period with adjusted expected IR based on IR in the pre-pandemic period. Results: The number of face-to-face in-clinic consultations declined during the lockdown in March 2020. A subsequent increase in the number of clinic consultations was observed, rising to a level above that of the pre-pandemic period; this increase resulted mainly from the introduction of telehealth consultations. The number of daytime email consultations increased, whereas the number of daytime home visits decreased. Likewise, the number of OOH telephone consultations increased, whereas the number of OOH home visits and clinic consultations decreased. Consultation rates of vulnerable patients, i.e., those with low education, old age, and comorbidity, were most adversely affected by the pandemic. The most adverse impact in OOH clinic consultations was seen for children aged 0-10 years. Conclusions: New methods are called for to ensure access to general practice for vulnerable patients during a pandemic. The potential of telehealth consultations should be further investigated.