The profile of General and Family Medicine specialist after the Covid-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in Portugal

Abstract

Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic was a turning point in health systems. What was established in the past became unstable, and nothing will be like it was before. It is crucial to think about the future and (re)design this new post-pandemic General and Family Medicine (GFM). Objective: To characterise the perspective of family doctors on the future of the speciality. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study involving family physicians. The semi-structured online questionnaire included questions about training, communication technologies integration, overall workload, task shifting, networking and professionalism. Additional open answers allowed to include of other topics about the perspective of the future. The Portuguese College of GFM distributed the invitations during August and September 2022, including all GFM doctors. Results: We included 226 participants (mean age 43 years, 73% females and 12% residents). In general, physicians attribute great importance to training, workload, strengthening referral networks and professionalism, and less to the task shifting with other providers, to the interconnection with local authorities and to the sub-specialisation of GFM. The youngers value sub-specialisation more, and the doctors with greater experience value the interconnection with community structures. Conclusions: The pandemic was a milestone in the evolution of the speciality of GFM, making it important to review our profile of specialists.