Family physicians' responses to personal protective equipment shortages in four regions in Canada: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite well-documented increased demands and shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) during previous disease outbreaks, health systems in Canada were poorly prepared to meet the need for PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the primary care sector, PPE shortages impacted the delivery of health services and contributed to increased workload, fear, and anxiety among primary care providers. This study examines family physicians' (FPs) response to PPE shortages during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic to inform future pandemic planning.

Methods

As part of a multiple case study, we conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with FPs across four regions in Canada. During the interviews, FPs were asked to describe the pandemic-related roles they per

SUBMITTER: Mathews M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9969942 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature