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. 2021 Jun 30;5(3):BJGPO.2021.0016.
doi: 10.3399/BJGPO.2021.0016. Print 2021 Jun.

General practice attendances among patients attending a post-COVID-19 clinic: a pilot study

John Broughan  1 , Geoff McCombe  2 , Gordana Avramovic  2   3 , Des Crowley  2 , Cheyenne Downey  2 , Joanne Downey O'Sullivan  4 , Ronan Fawsitt  5   6 , Tina McHugh  2 , Eileen O'Connor  3 , Carla Perrotta  7 , Aoife G Cotter  3   8 , John S Lambert  2   3 , Walter Cullen  2
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General practice attendances among patients attending a post-COVID-19 clinic: a pilot study

John Broughan et al. BJGP Open. .

Abstract

Background: About 10-35% of people with COVID-19 need medical care within 3 weeks of infection. However, the prevalence of ongoing care needs among those experiencing severe COVID-19 illness is unclear.

Aim: This pilot study aimed to address this knowledge gap by examining GP attendance trends among patients attending a post-COVID-19 hospital follow-up clinic, 3-6 months after an initial clinic visit.

Design & setting: Data were collected from adult patients attending a post-COVID-19 follow-up clinic at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (MMUH), Dublin, Ireland.

Method: Participants completed questionnaires outlining their demographics; medical histories; emergency hospital admissions and readmissions where applicable; and, where relevant, GP attendances following hospital discharge. Analyses were conducted using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: Participants' (n = 153) median age was 43.5 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 30.9-52.1 years). There were 105 females (68.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 61.3% to 75.9%). Various medical histories were reported among participants. Sixty-seven (43.2%, 95% CI = 35.9% to 51.6%) received emergency COVID-19 hospital care. Older adults, males, intensive care unit [ICU] admissions, and readmissions were common among hospital attendees. Of the hospital attendees, 16 (24%, 95% CI = 13.7% to 34.2%) attended GPs within 7 days of hospital discharge, and 26 (39%, 95% CI = 27.3% to 50.7%) within 30 days. Older adults, people with pre-existing medical conditions, and individuals admitted to ICU and/or readmitted to hospital were common among general practice attendees.

Conclusion: Persistent health issues appear to be common among patients with severe COVID-19, particularly those who are older adults, have pre-existing health problems, and who had been in ICU and/or readmission care. Larger scale studies of ongoing COVID-19 care needs in primary care and general practice are required.

Keywords: COVID-19; COVID-19 virus; SARS-CoV-2; follow-up studies; general practice; long-term care; pilot projects.

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