AbstractBackgroundMost COVID-19 patients were treated in primary health care (PHC) in Europe.ObjectivesTo demonstrate the scope of PHC workflow during the COVID-19 pandemic emphasising
similarities and differences of patient’s clinical pathways in Europe.MethodsDescriptive, cross-sectional study with data acquired through a semi-structured
questionnaire in PHC in 30 European countries, created ad hoc and agreed upon among all
researchers who participated in the study. GPs from each country answered the approved
questionnaire. Main variable: PHC COVID-19 acute clinical pathway. All variables were
collected from each country as of September 2020.ResultsCOVID-19 clinics in PHC facilities were organised in 8/30. Case detection and testing
were performed in PHC in 27/30 countries. RT-PCR and lateral flow tests were performed
in PHC in 23/30, free of charge with a medical prescription. Contact tracing was
performed mainly by public health authorities. Mandatory isolation ranged from 5 to 14
days. Sick leave certification was given exclusively by GPs in 21/30 countries. Patient
hotels or other resources to isolate patients were available in 12/30. Follow-up to
monitor the symptoms and/or new complementary tests was made mainly by phone call
(27/30). Chest X-ray and phlebotomy were performed in PHC in 18/30 and 23/30 countries,
respectively. Oxygen and low-molecular-weight heparin were available in PHC (21/30).ConclusionIn Europe PHC participated in many steps to diagnose, treat and monitor COVID-19
patients. Differences among countries might be addressed at European level for the
management of future pandemics.