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22-Mar-2023
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Arch Hellen Med, 40(2), March-April 2023, 211-222 ORIGINAL PAPER The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on primary health care private practice in Thessaloniki Κ. Tsakiri,1 Ε. Panteris,2 P. Mpogiatzidis1 |
OBJECTIVE To explore the elasticity of the primary health care (PHC) private offices in Greece during the pandemic crisis, and to identify the features that make an independent private practice resilient to unfavorable situations.
METHOD A survey of clinical and economic activities was conducted among general practitioners, internists and pediatricians working in private practice in Thessaloniki. The participants were questioned about their practice during the first (March to May 2020) and second (October to December 2020) phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out.
RESULTS A significant drop in visits was reported during the pandemic, while telemedicine consultations increased. Profits were reduced, with variation depending on the size of the office and the specialty of the doctor. Most physicians received some sort of financial aid from the government, but overall, the consequences of the pandemic were not catastrophic for their private practice.
CONCLUSIONS PHC private offices in Thessaloniki survived the difficulties caused by the pandemic, despite a loss in income. The private practitioners adjusted to the new policies that were implemented during this health crisis.
Key words: COVID-19 pandemic, Primary health care, Private practice.
