COVID-19: Adaptations to Primary Care in Australia
Sunday, January 3rd, 2021
Abstract
Introduction
The Australian Government has implemented its National Primary Care Response action plan to combat the growing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic across the country. The plan recognises the integral role of primary care services in protecting the most vulnerable citizens of our nation and recommends a number of interventions aimed at reducing transmission, including expanding telehealth services, physical distancing measures, and the use of personal protective equipment. The efficacy of these suggested measures needs to be evaluated to ensure everything is being done to maximise the safety of Australia’s primary care system while maintaining the highest level of care possible.
Summary
This review article delves into the benefits and limitations of the interventions suggested in the National Primary Care Response action plan and formulates recommendations on each intervention based on the currently available literature. Based on the literature findings, recommendations have been made to implement telehealth, physical distancing, and face masks in primary care settings across Australia to curb the transmission of COVID-19 across the country.