Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
National University Polyclinics, Singapore; College of Family Physicians Singapore, Singapore.
J Infect Public Health. 2021 Mar;14(3):285-289. doi: 10.1016/j.jiph.2020.12.028. Epub 2021 Jan 2.
Primary care physicians (PCP) are at a high risk of contracting COVID-19 as they manage patients with fever or respiratory symptoms, but it is intuitive that private and public practice PCPs may face different challenges during this pandemic. This study compared work- and non-work-related concerns, COVID-19's impact on personal and professional lives, and perceived pandemic preparedness between private and public PCPs in Singapore.
216 PCPs who were a registered member of either the National University Polyclinics, National University Health System Primary Care Network or College of Family Physicians Singapore, participated in this online cross-sectional study. The data collection period lasted from 6th March 2020 to 29th March 2020.
A final sample of 172 questionnaires were analysed. Private PCPs tended to be older and more experienced. Perceived COVID-19 exposure and overall preparedness was high in both groups. More private PCPs perceived their exposure risk as unacceptable, aOR = 3.96 (1.07, 14.62); that they should not be caring for COVID-19 patients, aOR = 3.55 (1.23, 10.24); and perceived more stigma against their loved ones, aOR = 4.27 (1.74, 10.44). Private PCPs felt less well-trained, aOR = 0.05 (0.01, 0.23); and supported, aOR = 0.14 (0.03, 0.63).
Private PCPs are more likely to be self-employed or work in smaller practices where COVID-19 infection could mean loss of livelihood. As a healthcare system without primary care is crippled in its ability to manage outbreaks, authorities should respond appropriately to the needs of their general practitioners and family physicians.
初级保健医生（PCP）在管理发热或呼吸道症状患者时感染 COVID-19 的风险较高，但直观地说，私人和公共执业 PCP 在大流行期间可能面临不同的挑战。本研究比较了新加坡私人和公共 PCP 之间的工作和非工作相关问题、COVID-19 对个人和职业生活的影响以及对大流行准备情况的看法。
216 名 PCP 参加了这项在线横断面研究，他们是国立大学综合诊所、国立大学保健系统初级保健网络或家庭医生学院的注册会员。数据收集期从 2020 年 3 月 6 日持续到 2020 年 3 月 29 日。
分析了最终的 172 份问卷样本。私人 PCP 往往年龄较大且经验更丰富。两组都认为 COVID-19 的暴露和整体准备情况很高。更多的私人 PCP 认为他们的暴露风险不可接受，aOR = 3.96（1.07，14.62）；他们不应该照顾 COVID-19 患者，aOR = 3.55（1.23，10.24）；并且认为他们的亲人受到更多的耻辱，aOR = 4.27（1.74，10.44）。私人 PCP 认为他们的培训较差，aOR = 0.05（0.01，0.23）；支持较少，aOR = 0.14（0.03，0.63）。
私人 PCP 更有可能是个体经营者或在较小的实践中工作，在这些实践中，COVID-19 感染可能意味着丧失生计。由于没有初级保健的医疗体系在管理疫情方面能力受损，当局应适当回应其全科医生和家庭医生的需求。
