Policy and practices in primary care that supported the provision and receipt of care for older persons during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative case study in three Canadian provinces

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dc.contributor.authorElliott, Jacobi
dc.contributor.authorTong, Catherine
dc.contributor.authorGregg, Susie
dc.contributor.authorMallinson, Sara
dc.contributor.authorGiguere, Anik
dc.contributor.authorBrierley, Meaghan
dc.contributor.authorGiosa, Justine
dc.contributor.authorMacNeil, Maggie
dc.contributor.authorJuzwishin, Don
dc.contributor.authorSims-Gould, Joanie
dc.contributor.authorRockwood, Kenneth
dc.contributor.authorStolee, Paul
dc.date.accessioned2023-10-01T00:02:40Z
dc.date.available2023-10-01T00:02:40Z
dc.date.issued2023-09-28
dc.date.updated2023-10-01T00:02:39Z
dc.description.abstractAbstract Background The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults were felt throughout the health care system, from intensive care units through to long-term care homes. Although much attention has been paid to hospitals and long-term care homes throughout the pandemic, less attention has been paid to the impact on primary care clinics, which had to rapidly change their approach to deliver timely and effective care to older adult patients. This study examines how primary care clinics, in three Canadian provinces, cared for their older adult patients during the pandemic, while also navigating the rapidly changing health policy landscape. Methods A qualitative case study approach was used to gather information from nine primary care clinics, across three Canadian provinces. Interviews were conducted with primary care providers (nā€‰=ā€‰17) and older adult patients (nā€‰=ā€‰47) from October 2020 to September 2021. Analyses of the interviews were completed in the language of data collection (English or French), and then summarized in English using a coding framework. All responses that related to COVID-19 policies at any level were also examined. Results Two main themes emerged from the data: (1) navigating the noise: understanding and responding to public health orders and policies affecting health and health care, and (2) receiving and delivering care to older persons during the pandemic: policy-driven challenges & responses. Providers discussed their experiences wading through the health policy directives, while trying to provide good quality care. Older adults found the public health information overwhelming, but appreciated the approaches adapted by primary care clinics to continue providing care, even if it looked different. Conclusions COVID-19 policy and guideline complexities obliged primary care providers to take an important role in understanding, implementing and adapting to them, and in explaining them, especially to older adults and their care partners.
dc.identifier.citationBMC Primary Care. 2023 Sep 28;24(1):199
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-023-02135-0
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1880/117312
dc.language.rfc3066en
dc.rights.holderBioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature
dc.titlePolicy and practices in primary care that supported the provision and receipt of care for older persons during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative case study in three Canadian provinces
dc.typeJournal Article
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