Singapore’s experience in ensuring continuity of outpatient care during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Sek, Kathleen Sy; Tan, Andre Teck Huat; Yip, Alexander Wenjun; Boon, Eve Me; Teng, Gim Gee; Lee, Chun Tsu

doi:10.1111/ijcp.13573

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…The dramatic decrease in inpatient volumes caused lower healthcare utilization, resulting in a significant revenue loss and increased use of resources (Nilakantam et al, 2020). The change in the nature of consultations was made possible by implementing telemedicine through virtual platforms and phone calls, which were widely operationalized (Sek et al, 2020).…”

Section: Iii2mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While others remain traditional in seeing patients through face-to-face consults or home visits, stringent safety precautions and personal protective equipment were implemented (Homeniuk & Collins, 2021). Guidelines were implemented to minimize transmission, and strategies have been developed to safeguard business continuity (Sek et al, 2020). Several recommendations from different countries were applied to operationally maintain the primary care level.…”

Section: Iii2mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Clinic Operations of Primary Care Physicians in Southern Negros Occidental

Terry-Sabay

Guevarra

2022

TSSJ

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The clinic operations of primary care physicians experienced an economic downturn affecting the delivery of healthcare services since the start of the pandemic. Thus, this research study determines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinic operations of primary care physicians in Southern Negros Occidental in terms of business operation and marketing viability. The study also intended to discover the opportunities and challenges in primary care facility operations. The descriptive-comparative research design was used. Research findings show that the COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial impact on the clinic operations of primary care physicians. Moreover, age has a significant difference in the degree of impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinic operations in both business operations and marketing viability. The study essentially addresses the limited data on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinic operations. The medical society may utilize this study to look for strategies to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on primary care physicians and maintain the delivery of health services in a non-hospital-based setting. Keywords. Pandemic, clinic operations, primary care physicians, business operation, marketing viability, descriptive, Philippines

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Section: Iii2mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Iii2mentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Clinic Operations of Primary Care Physicians in Southern Negros Occidental

Terry-Sabay

Guevarra

2022

TSSJ

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“…At Alexandra Hospital, an outpatient clinic attempted to maintain safe access to chronic care (during the pandemic) by implementing several containment strategies. Patients visiting the clinic had to undergo symptom screening prior to clinic entry, accompanying carers were limited to one, and the seating arrangements in the waiting area were redesigned to maintain social distancing [ 15 , 16 ]. Teleconsultations and home-delivery of prescriptions were introduced in lieu of face-to-face appointments and patients were given the option of having blood tests in community-based clinics rather than at the hospital [ 15 , 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Patients visiting the clinic had to undergo symptom screening prior to clinic entry, accompanying carers were limited to one, and the seating arrangements in the waiting area were redesigned to maintain social distancing [ 15 , 16 ]. Teleconsultations and home-delivery of prescriptions were introduced in lieu of face-to-face appointments and patients were given the option of having blood tests in community-based clinics rather than at the hospital [ 15 , 16 ]. Although containment measures have worked to protect patients from infection, the wider implications of practice changes are not entirely known.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Continuing chronic care services during a pandemic: results of a mixed-method study

Sumner

Bundele

Chong

et al. 2022

BMC Health Serv Res

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Background Patients with chronic diseases have seen unprecedented changes to healthcare practices since the emergence of COVID-19. Traditional ‘on-site’ clinics have had to innovate to continue services. Whether these changes are acceptable to patients and are effective for care continuation are largely unreported. Methods We evaluated the effectiveness of care provision at a re-structured chronic care clinic and elicited the patient experiences of care and self-management. We conducted a convergent, parallel, mixed-methods study. Adult patients attending a chronic care clinic were included. We extracted data from 4,849 clinic visits before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, including operational metrics and attendee profile. We also conducted fifteen interviews with patients from the same clinic using a semi-structured interview guide. Results Re-structuring the chronic clinic, including the introduction of teleconsultations, home-delivery of prescriptions and use of community-based phlebotomy services, served to maintain continuity of care while adhering to COVID-19 containment measures. Qualitatively, five themes emerged. Patients were able to adjust to healthcare practice changes and adapt their own lifestyles, although poor self-management practices were adopted. While most were apprehensive about attending the clinic, they valued ongoing care access and were reassured by the on-site containment measures. Conclusions Continuation of routine services is desired by patients and can be achieved through the adoption of containment measures, by greater collaboration with community partners, and the use of technology. Patients adapted to service changes, but poor self-management was evident. To prevent chronic disease relapse, services must strive to innovate rather than suspend services during pandemics.

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“…Given the nature and scale of the problem and the speed of its spread across the globe, no healthcare system had the necessary infrastructure or human resources to adequately cope with the evolving impact of this novel coronavirus 3 . While the resources were redirected to respond to the pandemic, professionals were calling for strategies to secure adequate care provision for non‐COVID patients 4 . Data on the impact of the pandemic on the healthcare organisations are still scarce.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the activity of private medical practices in Morocco

et al. 2021

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Introduction The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the activity of private medical practices in Morocco. Methods An online survey was carried out in June 2020. The study population consisted of physicians (General practitioners and specialists) who run private practices in different regions of Morocco. The questionnaire comprised three sections: demographic and professional data, the impact noticed by the physicians and the strategies they adopted to tackle this impact. Results We analysed 225 responses. Specialists represented 71.6% of the respondents. The majority (94.2%) of the private practices were located in urban areas. Almost all respondents have noticed a change in the demand for medical services, mainly a decrease (96.4%). There was an increase in urgent consultations (30.7%) and consultations for acute motives (39.1%). Respondents also reported less (69.3%) or no (23.1%) regular follow‐up visits for patients with chronic diseases. Decreased incomes concerned 97.3% of the practices. Practitioners reacted by working less hours (87.6%), delaying some procedures (78.2%) and applying recommended safety measures (100%). Telemedicine was used in an informal way to facilitate the communication with patients. Discussion and Conclusion During this pandemic, private practices were challenged to contribute to the continuity of healthcare services while ensuring the safety of the staff and the patients. Several strategies were adopted to cope with the new situation and to survive its many challenges.

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Singapore’s experience in ensuring continuity of outpatient care during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Cited by 6 publications

References 4 publications

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Clinic Operations of Primary Care Physicians in Southern Negros Occidental

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Clinic Operations of Primary Care Physicians in Southern Negros Occidental

Continuing chronic care services during a pandemic: results of a mixed-method study

Impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the activity of private medical practices in Morocco

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