Abstract

PLACERES-HERNANDEZ, José Fernando et al. Challenges for family doctors in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rev.Med.Electrón. [online]. 2021, vol.43, n.6, pp. 1634-1648.  Epub Dec 31, 2021. ISSN 1684-1824.

Primary health care is the main area of action of family medicine and a key tool for its development. Being declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, COVID-19 has made health systems consider solid primary care services as the basis of the response to this emergency. The aim of this paper was to describe the challenges faced by family physicians in taking care of COVID-19 suspected or confirmed patients. The health care staff and the entire population need to know the characteristics of the novel coronavirus. There is a National Protocol against COVID-19 in Cuba that is regularly updated; it defines the cases criteria, the main preventive measures and the treatment to fight the disease. The family doctor should establish classification consultations to take care of patients with acute respiratory diseases; this avoids contact with the rest of patients who come with other health problems. They should also insist on preventive measures and take care of suspicious and confirmed cases; keep themselves updated; carry out an active investigation of cases; ensure the care of persons in isolation centers, and study each of the characteristics of the disease. As a conclusion, it is indicated that family medicine is necessary to prevent coronavirus disease 2019. There are several challenges and defies that family doctors must face in the face of the pandemic.

Keywords : family medicine; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; primary health care.

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