The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 was a major disruption to many industries and businesses, including primary care. Primary care practices saw most patients in person before the pandemic, but the sudden shutdowns as a global pandemic was declared forced many practices to find a different way of operating. For some, the pivot to providing virtual visits was quick, while others took longer to adapt. This report shows the evolution of primary care's adaptation to telehealth services in the first months of the pandemic.
At two-year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic, clinician burnout at highest reported, with lower resiliency
WASHINGTON, April 19, 2022 – The Larry A. Green Center, in partnership with the Primary Care Collaborative (PCC), today released new survey data showing that 25% of primary care clinicians plan to leave the field within the next three years. In fact, the same survey revealed 62% of primary care clinicians have personal knowledge of clinicians who retired early or quit during the pandemic.
For data from the previous clinician survey, see Round 34 Results.
The Primary Care Collaborative has partnered with the Larry A. Green Center to regularly survey primary care clinicians and patients to better understand the impact of COVID-19 in real time.
Who replied to the survey in round 35?
Responses came from 847 clinicians in 49 states and Washington, D.C.
Most people get their medical advice from their doctors. But many may soon get it from state legislators, a frightening prospect that has already become law in two states and may happen in 24 more, with 47 pieces of active legislation under consideration.
The result of postponements is only now beginning to come to light, and it’s downright scary
Just a few months into the pandemic, many people had begun putting their healthcare needs on hold. CDC figures from June 2020 show that about 41% of adults had opted to delay visiting a medical provider. Now, 20-plus months later, care avoidance of common chronic and acute conditions has only worsened.
COVID-19 vaccines have helped slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the US. However, maximal population uptake of vaccines has been hindered by vaccine hesitancy. Greater participation of primary care physicians (PCPs) in vaccine distribution has been proposed as a strategy to combat vaccine hesitancy.
As the omicron surge engulfs the nation, overwhelmed hospitals are asking people without serious symptoms to avoid their emergency rooms, leaving many unsure of next steps. If not the emergency room, where?
The short answer is primary care.
Story Date:
January 26, 2022
News Author:
Louise Cohen, Primary Care Development Corp., a PCC Executive Member
