Harnessing the Potential of Primary Care and Addressing Problems Exacerbated by COVID-19

COVID-19 has caused significant changes in primary care. In Canada, many walk-in clinics and family practices closed. Pharmacies remained open but had restrictions on patient interactions. Other major changes in care (e.g., virtual care, reduced referrals) have been made to respect public health and emergency orders. During these times, patients can be unclear or unaware of how to get the right care, at the right time, from the right provider. Patients may fear getting COVID-19 and try to avoid seeking care for their COVID-like symptoms, while others may lack the access they need to a primary care provider. Navigating this can be especially challenging for vulnerable groups and those with chronic health conditions that require ongoing, frequent care. Join us as Dr. Emily Gard Marshall discusses her findings from the PUPPY study. A study that builds on existing research and works to understand critical gaps in primary care access and coordination by comparing data from before, during, and after the pandemic. 

Dr. Emily Gard Marshall, BA, MSc, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Dalhousie Department of Family Medicine Primary Care Research Unit, cross-appointed in Psychiatry. She is a Healthy Populations Institute Associate Research Scholar, Nova Scotia Health Affiliated Scientist, McGill Family Medicine Adjunct Professor, member of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and their Section of Researchers, Faculty Mentor for the Canadian TUTOR-Primary Health Care strategic training program, and Board Member of the Canadian Association of Health Services and Policy Research. Her mixed-methods research examines models of primary healthcare and outcomes across the quadruple aim: 1) improved population health, 2) better patient experiences, 3) provider and team well-being, and 4) cost optimization. Much of Dr. Marshall’s research has focused on equity, access, continuity, and comprehensiveness of services as well as patient and provider experiences in community and institutional settings. She leads multiple pan-Canadian studies including the CIHR COVID-19 Rapid Response-funded PUPPY study. Dr. Marshall is also the 2020 recipient of the North American Primary Care Research Group Mid-Career Researcher Award.

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