Table 2 Changes in clinical practices or behaviour amongst the GPs in Shenzhen during the NCP outbreak
Hospital (n = 54) | CHC/Private clinic (n = 307) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Clinical practice being affected by NCP | 50 (92.6%) | 298 (97.1%) | |
Change in service in clinic | |||
No change in service demand | 4 (7.4%) | 9 (2.9%) | |
Lower demand for services (seeing fewer patients) | 44 (81.5%) | 256 (83.4%) | |
Higher demand for services (seeing more patients) | 3 (5.6%) | 4 (1.3%) | |
Others | 3 (5.6%) | 38 (12.4%) | |
Change in clinical practice | |||
Increase office hours | 13 (24.1%) | 86 (28.1%) | |
Shorten patient consultation time | 19 (35.2%) | 93 (30.3%) | |
Ask patients to go to other clinics or hospitals | 40 (74.1%) | 190 (61.9%) | |
Cancel or change regular, non-acute appointments | 50 (92.6%) | 120 (39.1%) | |
Close the clinic | 4 (7.4%) | 29 (9.5%) | |
Community visits to educate and detect suspected NCP cases | 11 (20.4%) | 238 (77.5%) | |
Follow up on suspected NCP cases | 142 (46.3%) | 13 (24.1%) | *** |
Handle phone/online enquiries | 12 (22.2%) | 183 (59.6%) | *** |
Others | 9 (16.7%) | 90 (29.4%) | |
Change in medical practice | |||
Insist every patient to wear a mask | 45 (83.3%) | 251 (81.5%) | |
Screening/measure temperature as a routine procedure | 40 (74.1%) | 245 (79.8%) | |
Increase distance between the doctor and the patient | 37 (68.5%) | 189 (61.6%) | |
Avoid physical examination | 23 (42.6%) | 130 (42.3%) | |
Order more blood tests and chest X-ray | 35 (64.8%) | 68 (22.1%) | *** |
Order less blood tests and chest X-ray | 5 (9.3%) | 26 (8.5%) | |
More referrals to A&E Department | 24 (44.4%) | 108 (35.2%) | |
Advise them not to travel to those affected areas | 36 (66.7%) | 227 (73.9%) | |
Others | 1 (1.9%) | 9 (2.9%) | |