Health Care Practitioners’ Opinions towards Health Care Management in Primary Care Setting during COVID-19 Outbreak

Abstract

Ministry of Public Health had launched an emergency response guide for management of the outbreak of COVID-19 for hospital preparedness. But in the real world of practice, there still had a different perspective and understanding among health care practitioners (HCPs). This mixed methods research aimed to explore the opinions of health care practitioners to health care management that has actually been practiced during first and second wave of the outbreak of COVID-19 in Contracting unit for Primary care (CUP) of Buddhachinaraj Hospital. Quantitative data collection using questionnaires 108 HCPs and qualitative data collection using in-depth interview 8 HCPs who had very information and delved into the point during September to November 2021. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistic including percentage, median Q1 and Q3 and content analysis respectively. The result showed that all 5 dimensions of health care management in primary care unit are in high and highest scores due to high experience and readiness HCPs and good support from main hospital. But we also disclosed some of the poor findings.  In general management: Inadequate line or telephone communication, online consultation and prescriptions without seeing a doctor were not covered in all responsible area and poor perception about changing in health services among patients. In Acute respiratory infection (ARI) clinic: Lack and inappropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and no distinct ARI area from general patients. In performance: not all HCPs were trained to use PPE and no office break room available at service area. In inventory and device supporting: No person in charge directly for medical device storage. In infectious control: No training of supporting staff for effective cleaning in service area. So intake of this result may lead to improve the ARI clinic and promote patients and health care practitioner safety and also effective new normal services.