SUPPORT FOR GENERAL PRACTITONERS DURING COVID-19.

BACKGROUND

Evidence of initiatives to support General Practitioners (GPs) during the Covid-19 pandemic is scant.

AIM

To understand the impact of a novel method of providing support in the early stages of the pandemic.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A mixed-methods study of GPs working in a socially deprived area of Belfast.

METHOD

A survey was distributed to GPs who had attended a series of educational meetings at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey incorporated the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale and questions about the virtual meetings. Follow-up interviews were undertaken with five GPs to further explore their lived experiences and their perceptions of the virtual support forum.

RESULTS

The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in a measurable diminution of emotional well-being in GPs in North and West Belfast. Attendees rated a series of virtual meetings highly and described the following themes (): a sudden traumatic change (); a coming together (); reflections on what worked () and building future direction ().

CONCLUSION

The virtual meetings harnessed the instinct to come together witnessed at the beginning of the pandemic, and as well as sharing valuable information, also provided emotional support along with a sense of comradeship, ownership and autonomy.

HOW THIS FITS IN

GPs did not feel included or supported at the outset of the pandemic. Coming together with fellow professionals was a welcome source of support. Professional support can be delivered using a virtual platform. Continued professional development is more acceptable than explicit emotional support, but when done well can bolster resilience and emotional well-being.