The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on professional practice and patient volume in medical practices: A survey among German physicians and psychotherapists.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

This study examines the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on outpatient care in the German federal state of Brandenburg during the first 'lockdown' between 22 March and 4 May 2020, focusing on the burden for physicians and psychotherapists in outpatient practices and on alternative ways to provide care, in particular telehealth.

Methods

We conducted an online cross-sectional survey among outpatient health care professionals. The responses of n=277 physicians and n=87 psychotherapists were included in the analysis. Frequencies are shown; the relationship between categorical variables was examined using the χ² test; we used a qualitative content analysis for free text answers.

Results

Almost all (96 %) physicians and 59 % of the psychotherapi

SUBMITTER: Bruch D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8620328 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature