Covid-19 – an example of induced change in general practice

Madam,

The Covid-19 pandemic is an unprecedented event, very different to other epidemics I have encountered before, for example, the Swine Flu epidemic in 2009–2010. GPs are very good at responding to crises, and our practices and ways of working are remarkably flexible.

In infectious disease situations, quarantine and isolation measures should be most effective in reducing spread and, therefore, morbidity and mortality. Our response, as at other GP practices, is to reduce the footfall in the surgery. Telephone and video-consultations have become the norm, with face-to-face encounters only taking place, if absolutely necessary for clinical reasons. We have used our technology to transmit prescriptions to pharmacies, forms to outside organisations; emailing patients’ certificates and paperwork, for whatever reason, has become the norm. We are now adapting to using our computer power to the full. Tele-medicine has been growing in usage over the past few years, but ‘wartime’ situations often hot-house new ways of working and the development of equipment. Primary care usage and secondary care encounters will benefit from this and will be here to stay. This has been demonstrated to be a very efficient way of managing patients in the event of a crisis and beyond.

All this needs development, standardising, with adequate training and safeguards. Computer security and confidentiality issues, as regards electronic transmission of consultations by video, telephone and email, as well as text, will need addressing.

I am sure that this will be fertile ground for the medico-legal world, as we adapt and progress to electronic and virtual medical practices.