Primary care for patients with respiratory tract infection before and early on in the COVID-19 pandemic: an observational study in 16 European countries.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To describe primary health care (consultation characteristics and management) for patients contacting their general practitioner (GP) with a respiratory tract infection (RTI) early on in the COVID-19 pandemic in contrasting European countries, with comparison to prepandemic findings.

Setting

Primary care in 16 countries (79 practices), when no routine SARS-CoV-2 testing was generally available.

Design and participants

Before (n=4376) and early in the pandemic (n=3301), patients with RTI symptoms were registered in this prospective audit study.

Outcome measures

Consultation characteristics (type of contact and use of PPE) and management characteristics (clinical assessments, diagnostic testing, prescribing, advice and referral) were registered. Differe

SUBMITTER: van der Velden AW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8326026 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature