Project

Valorization of PRICOV-19 Study: Translating scientific findings into policy recommendations for preparedness and response to infectious disease outbreaks in European primary care practices

Code
BOF/MVF/202303/019
Duration
01 June 2023 → 31 May 2025
Funding
Regional and community funding: Special Research Fund
Research disciplines
  • Medical and health sciences
    • Family care
    • Primary health care
    • Quality assurance
Keywords
infectious diseases general practice quality of care COVID-19 general practitioners preparedness primary care primary healthcare
 
Project description

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a consortium of more than 45 European research institutions, led by UGent, embarked on the PRICOV-19 study. This study aimed to investigate how primary care practices adapted their operations to deliver safe and high-quality care under challenging circumstances, particularly to vulnerable populations. PRICOV-19 collected data from over 8,000 primary care practices across 37 European countries and Israel, without external funding, making it the largest and most comprehensive of its kind. To date, the study’s results have been published in over 30 scientific publications. PRICOV-19 is a significant study that has not only scientific value but also carries significant societal importance. The study's findings have the potential to answer pressing questions for (inter)national policymakers, professional associations of general practitioners, and training institutions regarding how primary care in Europe can better prepare for future infectious disease outbreaks. However, due to a lack of external research funding, the current consortium is unable to respond to regular requests for advice on this issue e.g. from WHO, WONCA, national policy makers, ...  With support from the valorization fund, the following results could be achieved: (1) Translating scientific insights into tangible recommendations for policy, the professional field, and training and summarizing them in position papers; (2) Developing a communication strategy to disseminate these recommendations to policymakers, professional associations, and training institutes across Europe; (3) Creating targeted communication materials; (4) Implementing and monitoring communication efforts with the above target groups.