General practitioners are an essential line of defense within the healthcare system in the fight against COVID-19 in France as across the world. AplusA is conducting an ongoing poll among French general practitioners to research both the number of suspected COVID-19 patients they are recording as well as their morale in light of the crisis.

The study provides results according to the type of consultation (in-surgery, home visit, tele-consultation, and nursing home visits) and according to the severity level of the French regions. Here are some key results from waves 1 and 2 of the poll. Results from the will be published bi-weekly.

Methodology

Information on 2639 medical interactions was collected from 138 general practitioners. The data collected are weighted according to the geographical distribution of GPs in France. The physicians completed a self-administered survey online between the evening of the 2nd April and the evening of the 3rd April to study a full day of activity.

Key Results Wave 1: 2-3 April 2020

• 22% of GP medical interactions led to a suspected COVID-19 case and 2% to a hospitalizable case.  

• There are more suspected cases among tele-consultations (34%). 

• GPs in the worst hit regions of France as of April 2nd (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Grand-Est, Hauts-de-France, Ile-de-France), obviously stated a larger number of suspected COVID-19 cases (27% versus 16% in the other regions) and therefore almost three times as many hospitalizable cases (3% versus 1%). 

• Despite all of this, and including in the worst hit regions, 72% of surveyed GPs in France said they retained a good or very good level of morale.

Methodology

Information on 2541 medical interactions was collected from 117 general practitioners. The data collected are weighted according to the geographical distribution of GPs in France. The physicians completed a self-administered survey online between the evening of the 6th April and the evening of the 7th April to study a full day of activity.

Key Results Wave 2: 7 April 2020 

• 16% of GP medical interactions led to a suspected or a diagnosis of COVID-19.  

• There are more suspected cases among tele-consultations (34%). 

• GPs in the worst hit regions of France as of April 7th (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Grand-Est, Hauts-de-France, Ile-de-France), obviously stated a larger number of suspected COVID-19 cases (18% versus 13% in the other regions).

• Despite all of this, and including in the worst hit regions, 8 out of 10 surveyed GPs in France said they retained a good or very good level of morale.