Survey highlights threat to life-saving early detection from COVID-19 fears

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The first survey of the impact of the pandemic on primary healthcare outlets, published today (May 12) reports that 99% of healthcare professionals working in primary care settings are concerned that patients are missing out on a potentially life or death diagnosis because they are too scared to attend appointments during the COVID-19 outbreak. 

 

In addition, 45% fear that having to work remotely via video-link or telephone means they could be failing to detect serious diseases in patients.

 

Almost half of the respondents were also deeply concerned about the impact of the pandemic on patients’ mental health, which could result in conditions such as depression and anxiety spiralling into self-harm and even suicide.

 

Far from being overrun during COVID-19, 40% of healthcare professionals are less busy than usual and a further 15% claim they are considerably quieter.

 

The survey, which quizzed over 400 UK primary healthcare professionals, (including those working within COVID-19 hubs) showed that the virus has made a huge change to the way most surgeries work, with 89% of doctors doing some or all of their non-COVID-19 consultations via telephone.

 

GP Dr Zahid Chauhan OBE has worked on the frontline in the battle against COVID-19. He says: “I am concerned that patients are not turning up at surgery. I largely think this is through fear but also a desire not to bother the NHS at this critical time. People must attend if they display worrying symptoms. Of particular concern is patients not presenting with mental health issues. There is a stigma around problems such as depression at the best of times. I genuinely believe people are suffering in silence.”

 

The impact of the coronavirus on primary care survey was organised by healthcare media company, MGP in collaboration with Dr. Sandesh Gulhane, and published by Guidelines in Practice. Data was analysed by BrainSell.

 

Read the full survey here.

 

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