The COVID-19 pandemic is putting a strain on health systems and health professionals. Two studies were conducted under this theme. The first was a qualitative study which aimed to explore the experiences and opinions of primary health care (PHC) health professionals during the first wave of the pandemic. The second study, which was a time point study with quantitative data, aimed to investigate the awareness of PHC health professionals in managing the COVID-19 epidemic, recording their sense of professional duty and risk perception, as well as the barriers they faced during the first wave of the pandemic.

 

Presentations:

COVID-19 pandemic response in Greece: Awareness and concerns of primary health care professionals. EuGMS.  2020

Primary Healthcare Professionals' Preparedness during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Greece. Poster. 92nd EGPRN Meeting. 2021

 

Publications:

Smyrnakis E, Symintiridou D, Andreou M, Dandoulakis M, Theodoropoulos E, Kokkali S, Manolaki C, Papageorgiou DI, Birtsou C, Paganas A, Stachteas P, Vlachopoulos N, Pagkozidis I, Zeimbekis A, Roka V, Giakoumis A, Kotsani M, Avakian I, Makridou E, Gavana M, Haidich AB, Avgerinou C. Primary care professionals' experiences during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Greece: a qualitative study. BMC FamPract. 2021 Sep 3;22(1):174. doi: 10.1186/s12875-021-01522-9. PMID: 34474684; PMCID: PMC8412972.

Gavana M, Papageorgiou DI, Haidich AB, Kokkali S, Talimtzi P, Paganas A, Andreou M, Yakimova-Polyzou V, Symintiridou D, Smyrnakis E. Perceived risk and pandemic response awareness in low-capacity public primary health care in Greece. Rural Remote Health. 2022 Jan;22(1):6985. doi: 10.22605/RRH6985. Epub 2022 Jan 25. PMID: 35077193.