Defining the “New Normal” in Primary Care

Abstract

Health care organizations in the United States have transformed at an unprecedented rate since March 2020 due to COVID-19, most notably with a shift to telemedicine. Despite rapidly adapting health care delivery in light of new safety considerations and a shifting insurance landscape, primary care offices across the country are facing drastic decreases in revenue and potential bankruptcy. To survive, primary care's adaptations will need to go beyond virtual versions of traditional office visits. Primary care is faced with a chance to redefine what it means to care for and support patients wherever they are. This opportunity to shape the "new normal" is a critical step for primary care to meet its full potential to lead a paradigm shift to patient-centered health care reform in America during this time when we need it most.

Telemedicine in community shelters: possibilities to improve chronic care among people experiencing homelessness in Hungary

“…As digital health technologies emerged and a paradigm shift toward a hybrid primary care model is envisaged [ 11 ], access to and routine use of these online platforms and devices have a strong effect on basic healthcare utilization and are now considered as social determinants of health [ 12 ]. According to the Global strategy on digital health 2020–2025 of the World Health Organization (WHO), “Digital health should be an integral part of health priorities and benefit people in a way that is ethical, safe, secure, reliable, equitable and sustainable” [ 13 ].…”

Addressing the workforce crisis in (rural) social care: A scoping review

“…Indeed, the potential to examine other types of strategies such as preventative care or telehealth from a workforce supply and demand perspective may provide the policy impetus required to instigate a much-needed paradigm shift. 14 The very limited attention to alternative models of care (service scope) and technologies suggested by this review may indeed be the result of a failure to explicitly link these sorts of initiatives to workforce issues rather than a lack of research overall. Globally, there is a focus on the potential for digital technologies to 'solve' the challenges of rural care systems, 12 but there continues to be a lack of penetration of digital services into routine practice.…”

Telemedicine Experience for PrEP Care among PrEP-Eligible Women and Their Primary Care Providers during the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States

“…At the time of the COVID-19 outbreak, healthcare in the U.S. had been separated into the “old” and “new” era of patient care [ 22 ]. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the “old” era of healthcare practice consisted mostly of patients who met with their healthcare providers in person.…”

“…Using telemedicine, healthcare can be accessed at any location (e.g., at home, at work) via multiple routes (e.g., telephone, computer, and mobile phones). However, for historically disadvantaged groups (e.g., individuals with low socioeconomic status, the elderly, and racial/ethnic minorities), the “new” practice of telemedicine may create another structural barrier to health equity or equitable care due to the limited access to technology or digital devices [ 22 ]. In addition, concerns regarding privacy, ethics, safety, empathy, and trust may pose unresolved and evolving challenges in the new digital era in the healthcare system [ 26 ].…”

“…In addition, concerns regarding privacy, ethics, safety, empathy, and trust may pose unresolved and evolving challenges in the new digital era in the healthcare system [ 26 ]. The transition from traditional onsite visits to telemedicine virtual visits is beyond the simple “copy-paste” procedure [ 22 , 26 ].…”