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Updated: Oct 15, 2025
Remote Laboratory Management: Respiratory Virus Diagnostics
Published on: April 6, 2019
Barriers to performing onsite COVID-19 testing during the second wave in Victoria: Experiences of general practices
Monirul Haque1, Ahmed Shahriar Ferdous2, Jarnah Miller3
1MBBS, MMed (Fam Med), FRACGP, FACRRM (Honorary), General Practitioner, Myers Street Family Medical Practice, Geelong, Vic; General Practitioner, Sanctuary Lake Medical Practice, Point Cook, Vic; Academic, Faculty of Health Science, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic.
Background And Objectives:
The approach to performing COVID-19 testing in general practice has been going through an evolution and is variable. The aim of this study was to determine what underlying factors, if any, impeded onsite COVID-19 testing in general practices for patients during the second wave of the pandemic in Victoria.
Method:
This study was conducted during August 2020 and October 2020. Fourteen semi-structured interviews with general practitioners, practice nurses and practice managers were conducted.
Results:
Barriers to performing onsite testing for COVID-19 were identified as: 1) individual, 2) practitioner perception of fear, 3) lack of personal protective equipment, 4) inappropriate clinic design/location, 5) risk of patient avoidance, 6) financial risk, 7) a lack of knowledge and 8) lack of guidelines.
Discussion:
This study's findings relate to a unique period in Victoria, which at the time accounted for 70% of the nation's total cases and 90% of deaths. Therefore, the barriers identified in this study may help inform policymakers in regard to planning for future responses to similar situations.
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