Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 16, 2025
Nasal Brushing Sampling and Processing Using Digital High Speed Ciliary Videomicroscopy – Adaptation for the COVID-19 Pandemic
Published on: November 7, 2020
Teachings After COVID-19 Outbreak From a Survey of Family Physicians
Marco Toselli1, Ignazio Palazzi2, Martina Lambertini2
1From the Interventional cardiology unit, GVM Care and Research, Maria Cecilia Hospital, Cotignola, Ravenna, Italy (MT, AC, AK); Primary Health Care Department, AUSL Romagna, Italy (IP); Dermatology unit, IRCCS di Policlinico Sant'Orsola, Via Massarenti 9, Bologna, Italy (ML); Dermatology unit, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Italy (ML); Primary Health Care Department, AUSL Bologna, Italy (AM); Gastroenterology and Interventional Endoscopy Unit, Local Health Authority of Bologna, Italy (SL); Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY (FT); IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy (GM). marco.toselli2@gmail.com.
Background:
Since December 2019, the dramatic escalation in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases worldwide has had a significant impact on health care systems. Family physicians (FPs) have played a critical role in the coordination of care.
Materials And Methods:
In April 2020, we performed an online prospective survey to assess the impact of the pandemic on FPs' practices.
Results:
Three hundred FPs were included. Mean age was 53.6 ± 13.5 years. Before the pandemic, 60.2% reported >75 outpatient visits/week, which reduced down to an average of <20/week for 79.8% of FPs; 24.2% of FPs discontinued home visits, while for 94.7% of FPs there was a >50% increase in the number of telephone consultations. Concern related to the risk of contagion was elevated (≥3/5 in 74.6%) and even higher to the risk of infecting relatives and patients (≥3/5 in 93.3%). The majority of FPs (87%) supported the role of telemedicine in the near future. Satisfaction regarding the network with hospitals/COVID-19-dedicated wards received a score ≤2/5 in 46.9% of cases.
Conclusions:
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the working practices of FPs. A collaboration is needed with well-established networks between FPs and referral centers to provide new insights and opportunities to inform future working practices.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Steps in Outbreak Investigation
01:17Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
01:26Standard Precaution
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
01:28Survey Safety
01:18Factors Affecting Illness
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness,...
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...