Contributions and challenges of general practitioners in China fighting against the novel coronavirus crisis

Li, Donald Kwok Tung; Zhu, Shanzhu

The competence and trustworthiness of the GPs are most important. GPs are the primary healthcare coordinators. They work together with other professionals and authorities to ensure appropriate actions are taken promptly to reduce risks. Challenges of appropriate referral, triage and maintaining an effective tiered healthcare system remain. Putting resources into training GPs, giving due recognition to their skills through well-placed accreditation systems should be the way ahead. Once the trust is established, patients’ health-seeking behaviour will also be changed. They will trust their family doctors to refer their problems to other healthcare professionals or hospitals only when necessary. Recognising and promoting the role of GPs in public health can also help fill the gap in population health services. The government and the public can then invite GPs to contribute to public health policies as well as working closely with the Central Disease Control system.