PATIENTS' OPINIONS ON OUTPATIENT MEDICAL CARE DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS

Abstract

COVID-19 was a challenge which tested the entirety of our country's healthcare system from 2020-2021. The pandemic was an emergency, quite dynamic, and necessitated quick and thoughtful actions. Ever since the official announcement of the COVID-19 pandemic in Bulgaria and the first reported cases from 08.03.2020 to 30.09.2020, the total number of registered cases has risen to 500112. This fact was the reason we conducted a survey among 531 patients from all over the country regarding the changes in their access to the doctor's office and the methods they used for contacting their general practitioner for the period from March 2020 to April 2021.The results show that over 51.41% of participants have seen an improvement in their access to their GP's office due to the fewer patients visiting the office. At the same time, 42.18% of participants reported they received phone consults or had their phone calls returned during their general practitioner's working hours. 26.18% of respondents have received phone consults regardless of the time. 30.70% of respondents have communicated with their GP via Viber; 14.50% via messenger; 6.03% via email.