A National Study of Community Health Centers' Readiness to Address COVID-19
A National Study of Community Health Centers' Readiness to Address COVID-19
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DOI：
10.3122/jabfm.2021.s1.200167
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发表时间：
2021-02-01
影响因子：
2.9
通讯作者：
Anderson, Daren
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Damian, April Joy;Gonzalez, Melanie;Anderson, Daren
背景资料：2019冠状病毒病（COVID-19）爆发带来严重的健康风险，特别是对老年人和患有潜在慢性疾病的人。社区卫生中心（CHC）作为患者的医疗之家，为不成比例地更容易感染COVID-19的人群提供服务;然而，人们对CHC目前为准备和应对大流行所做的努力缺乏了解。方法：我们使用了一个全面的横断面调查和与卫生保健人员的焦点小组，以了解社区卫生中心的需求和目前的努力，结果：调查受访者（n = 234; 19%的回复率）将COVID-19感染预防和控制（76%）、安全预防措施（72%）以及筛查、诊断检测和患者管理（66%）确定为主要教育需求。焦点小组调查结果（n = 39）强调了与准备状态相关的5个关键主题：领导力、资源、劳动力能力、沟通以及正式的政策和程序。结论：COVID-19大流行加剧了CHC长期存在的能力问题，使其难以充分应对疫情。促进对社区卫生服务进行更多投资的政策可能会加强社区卫生服务，以更好地满足社会最弱势成员的需求，从而有助于使曲线变平。
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak poses serious health risks, particularly for older adults and persons with underlying chronic medical conditions. Community health centers (CHCs) serve as the patient medical home for populations that are disproportionately more susceptible to COVID-19; yet, there is a lack of understanding of current efforts in place by CHCs to prepare for and respond to the pandemic.Methods: We used a comprehensive cross-sectional survey and focus groups with health care personnel to understand the needs and current efforts in place by CHCs, and we derived themes from the focus group data.Results: Survey respondents (n = 234; 19% response rate) identified COVID-19 infection prevention and control (76%), safety precautions (72%), and screening, diagnostic testing, and management of patients (66%) as major educational needs. Focus group findings (n = 39) highlighted 5 key themes relevant to readiness: leadership, resources, workforce capacity, communication, and formal policies and procedures.Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated long-standing CHC capacity issues making it challenging for them to adequately respond to the outbreak. Policies promoting greater investment in CHCs may strengthen them to better meet the needs of the most vulnerable members of society, and thereby help flatten the curve.