Article
Personal protective equipment and pandemic plans as predictors of pandemic preparedness among German general practitioners – predictors for pandemic preparedness
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Published: | September 27, 2021 |
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Background and status of (inter)national research: COVID-19 changed the work of general practitioners (GPs) deeply. On the onset of the pandemic in March 2020 German outpatient practices had to adopt quickly to the situation. Pandemic preparedness (PP) for GPs can play a vital role in their handling of a pandemic situation.
Question and objective: To examine the effect of different personal protective equipment (PPE) and knowledge of pandemic plans on PP among German GPs.
Method or hypothesis: Three multivariable linear regression models were developed based on an online cross-sectional survey for the period March/April 2020 (the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany). Data were gathered using self-developed items on self-assessed pandemic preparedness and knowledge of any pandemic plan and its helpfulness. The stock of seven PPE materials were queried. The influence of these seven PPE materials and three PPE scores created from them were compared. Control variables for all models were gender and age. This analysis is part of the research project “The COVID-19 crisis and its impact on the German ambulatory sector – the physicians’ view” (COVID-GAMS). Funding code: 01KI2099.
Results: Up to 508 GPs were included in the analysis. 65.16% of GPs felt very poorly/poorly prepared; 13.83% of GPs were aware of any pandemic plans. 40% rated those plans as helpful. FFP-2/3 masks, protective suits, face shields, safety glasses, and medical face masks were mainly completely insufficient/insufficient, while disposable gloves, and disinfectants were sufficient/completely sufficient. FFP-2/3 masks, protective suits, face shields, and medical face masks show significant positive influence on PP. The three PPE scores developed show similar significant positive influence on PP. Hence, PPE overall is a significant predictor and has the largest influence on PP. Influence of knowledge of any pandemic plan is significant but small. The assessment that a plan is helpful does not show a significant effect on PP.
Discussion: Consistent with other research, the assessment on the stock of PPE was the determine factor for PP among the GPs surveyed. Knowledge of a pandemic plan and their immediate usefulness at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic played a subordinate role. Our results show that even a pandemic plan that is assessed as helpful has a lower effect on PP than sufficient PPE.
Practical implications: It seems appropriate to focus on different types of masks when dealing with PPE in regard to COVID-19. Well-drafted pandemic plans can be helpful, but they need to be better and wider disseminated among GPs.
Appeal for practice (science and/or care) in one sentence: Sufficient personal protective equipment is one of the main factors in regard to pandemic preparedness among German general practitioners.