RACGP released a new guideline that would support GPs’ care provision for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms.
Dr. Penny Burns said that caring for COVID-19 patients in their homes would ensure appropriate care and reduce the pressure on the healthcare system of the country.
The guidelines identified COVID-19 patients who are more likely to experience mild symptoms and would not require specialised hospital care.
It also provided GPs the necessary information in their provision of home-based care for patients who are asymptomatic to those who have mild symptoms.
Dr. Burns added that the new guidelines were in the line of the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce advisory.
She said that the task force has been doing a flowchart of evidence focusing on the management of COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms. She also affirmed that the guidelines would be very helpful for Victorian GPs as the state’s infection rates continue to rise.
The guidelines can also help GPs in coming up with important clinical decisions for COVID-19 patients.
Furthermore, it can be instrumental for GPs to adequately assess any related comorbidities for the patient since GPs would perform healthcare decisions based upon their relationship with a patient.
Considering the proliferation of telehealth in the country, the new guideline would be suitable for GPs who administer healthcare through telehealth. It already filters the necessary conditions and indicators of how healthcare shall be approached.
Dr. Burns commended how GPs were able to adjust to the new challenges and demands posed by the pandemic.
She is hopeful about the promise of the guidelines for care continuity regardless of the existing limitations.
Home-based healthcare can ensure holistic care for the patient’s mental and physical aspects.
