Organization of primary health care in pandemics

A rapid systematic review of the literature in times of Covid-19

Bibliographic Data

ID19538537
AuthorsThiago Dias Sarti (0000-0002-1545-6276, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo), Welington Serra Lazarini (0000-0003-2798-7223, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo), Leonardo Ferreira Fontenelle (0000-0003-4064-433X, Universidade Vila Velha), Ana Paula Santana Coelho Almeida (0000-0001-5808-5818, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo)
Year2021
Volume16
Issue43
Pages2655
Publication date2021-07-15
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueRevista Brasileira de Medicina de Família e Comunidade (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1809-5909 • E-ISSN: 2179-7994
PublisherSociedade Brasileira de Medicina de Familia e Comunidade (SBMFC) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.5712/rbmfc16(43)2655
OpenAlexW3177667741
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited11

Background: The world is experiencing one of the greatest public health emergencies in history with the global spread of COVID-19. Health systems, including Primary Health Care (PHC) services, are pillars of pandemic coping strategies. Objective: To systematic review of the literature that analyzes the effectiveness of PHC organization strategies in the context of epidemics. Methods: We performed a rapid systematic literature review on MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE and LILACS (via VHL), in order to analyze empirical studies on the effectiveness of PHC organization strategies in the context of epidemics to improve access and reduce morbidity and mortality. There was no assessment of risk of bias, and the synthesis was narrative. PROSPERO CRD42020178310.Results: We selected seven articles, which studied the responses to different epidemic–s in different parts of the world. In terms of access, the studies suggest positive results with the adoption of adjustments of work processes of the teams and the structure of the services, combined with diversification of actions (including call center), adequate provision of inputs and personal protective equipment, adequate action plans and communication strategies, and effective integration with public health services and other levels of care. No study analyzed population morbidity and mortality. The included studies suggest also that community-oriented PHC is more effective in crisis scenarios, indicating the necessity of strengthening of the Family Health Strategy in the Brazilian context. Conclusion: PHC can be effective in coping with public health emergencies. Action plans should be built with broad participation by the actors involved in coping with the epidemic. Emphasis is placed on the importance of empowering the link between the healthcare service and its registered population

Disease · Environmental health · Geography · Health care · Pandemic · Political science · Population · Psychiatry · Public health · Public relations · Global Maternal and Child Health · Health, Nursing, Elderly Care · Healthcare Systems and Reforms · Medicine · Nursing