Articles: pandemics.
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Annals of family medicine · Apr 2022
Participants' experience in using a point of Care Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) for SARS-CoV-2.
Learning objectives: On completion of this presentation, participant should be able to: Understand the feasibility of RAT for SARS-CoV-2 screening in primary care Understand the role of RAT for SARS-CoV-2 screening in prevention of COVID-19 transmission in community Context: The COVID-19 pandemic has paralyzed human interactions worldwide. At least half of COVID-19 transmissions could originate from asymptomatic individuals. Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) with nasal sampling at the point of care is inexpensive, fast and less invasive than PCR testing. ⋯ More than two thirds of participants reported RAT provide them peace of mind and reduced anxiety levels. Participants found the RAT to be safe, easy, accessible and rapid. Conclusions: Rapid antigen testing for detecting COVID-19 is well accepted and could support the detection of infection at an early stage amongst asymptomatic individuals while easing their worries.
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Annals of family medicine · Apr 2022
COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy among southern rural veterans with cancer in the arkansas-louisiana-texas (ArkLATX) region.
Context: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a major socioeconomic disruptor in the U. S. and around the globe. The only intervention that has a far-reaching impact is the adoption of an efficient large-scale vaccination campaign with the highly effective COVID-19 vaccines. ⋯ Conclusions: This survey indicates that the majority of ArkLATX veterans with cancer are willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The major reasons behind vaccine hesitancy seem to be information problems consisting of questions about safety, inadequate information, and seeing no reason for the vaccine. Such barriers can be potentially circumvented by providing the appropriate information and counseling.
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Annals of family medicine · Apr 2022
Recommendations for virtual care in primary care practices: a survey of patients across Ontario, Canada.
Context: The onset of COVID-19 has required the rapid adoption of virtual services in primary care (PC) practices, and virtual care delivery is likely to continue to some extent post-pandemic. Objective: To understand patient experience with synchronous virtual (telephone (Tel)/Video) appointments and elicit recommendations for its future use. Design: Mixed method, including patient survey co-developed with stakeholders and implemented online Feb-Mar 2021 with large promotional efforts through social media, patient and caregiver organizations, and other networks. ⋯ Conclusions: Patient experience was largely positive and is influenced by patient/provider factors. Patients and providers may benefit from support/training to optimize care experience. We are now evaluating whether the reasons for visits influences care experience.
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To explore the perceptions and experiences of the general population regarding the impact of the implementation of teleconsultation in primary health care during the pandemic. ⋯ It is essential to carry out analyses and evaluations from a health equity perspective in order to make decisions related to the use of technology in general and teleconsultation in particular, in the post-pandemic future of primary health care.
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Annals of family medicine · Apr 2022
PPE portraits: patient and clinician experiences at a COVID-19 testing site.
Context: The COVID-19 pandemic mandated personal protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare settings, obscuring clinician faces and expressions, and depersonalizing patient care experiences. PPE Portraits (affixing a clinician's photo to the front of PPE) was first introduced in 2015 during the West Africa Ebola epidemic, and has been shown to help maintain patient-provider connection at times when patients may be fearful, isolated, and unable to identify clinicians caring for them. Objective: To evaluate patient and clinician experiences with PPE Portraits. ⋯ Conclusion: PPE Portraits humanized the COVID-19 testing experiences for patients and clinicians during a time of fear. Clinicians recommended PPE Portraits for other healthcare settings that require PPE. Future research could assess how PPE Portraits promote patient-provider connection and trust.