Primary Care in a Public Health Emergency - Lessons from the Front Lines of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is the most profound public health crisis of our lifetime. It has disrupted society and made it clear that our health is determined by a web of interdependent factors influenced by health care, public health, government agencies, businesses, and community-based organizations. Primary care teams were on the front lines from the very beginning and showed up in countless ways, never closing. The unique role of primary care teams during COVID-19 are discussed in this text as well as the impact of the pandemic on these individuals who have dedicated their lives to providing valuable care to their communities.
As the pandemic aftermath lingers on, primary care has been forever changed. Many experts predict that primary care is on the brink of collapse. What can be done to save it? Further, what can be done to strengthen primary care s vital role in our nation s health care system, so that it is ready to keep our communities healthy during the next pandemic? In this book, front line primary care teams and health care leaders share personal experiences and advice grounded in reflections on a generation-defining pandemic.
This text is organized in four main parts. The first part focuses on voices from the front lines. The second part discusses the primary care medical home. The third part spotlights primary care team management. The final section centers on policy implications.
Written by experts in the field, Primary Care in a Public Health Emergency, is a valuable resource for primary care teams, community leaders, educators, researchers, and policymakers. While there is voluminous literature about health system transformation, this volume is focused on reviving primary care and building back resiliency after a global crisis.

List of contents

Introduction.- COVID19s Impact on the Building Blocks of High Performing Primary Care.- Patient Experiences during the Pandemic Highlight the Value of Established Relationships with Primary Care and Identify a Focus for the Future of Primary Care.- Into the Storm Primary Care Public Health and the COVID19 Pandemic.- When Things Dont Go as Planned Family Medicine Residency Training During COVID19.- Medical Student Education During and After the COVID19 Pandemic.- Response of a Connected Community Health Center Meeting the Healthcare Needs of Patients and Community while Providing a Unique Medical Student Educational Opportunity.- Establishing Community Testing and Vaccination Centers within a Week Two Case Studies from the Primary Care Medical Home.- Implementation of telephone and video visits in primary care Informing the future of care delivery.- Lessons on Employee Health and Caring for the Team from the COVID19 Pandemic.- Lessons on Workforce Management During the Pandemic.- Long COVID and Primary Care.- Policy Changes Before and After the COVID19 Pandemic and Their Impact on Health Care Coverage and Access.- Conclusion Together our lights shine brighter.

About the author

Anthony Cheng, M.D.


Department of Family Medicine


Oregon Health & Science University


3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd.


Mail code: FM


Portland, OR 97239


Jennifer E. DeVoe, M.D., D.Phil.


Department of Family Medicine


Oregon Health & Science University


3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd.


Mail code: FM


Portland, OR 97239


Lauren S. Hughes, MD, MPH, MSc, MHCDS


Department of Family Medicine


University of Colorado School of Medicine


Farley Health Policy Center


University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus


Anschutz Health Sciences Building


1890 North Revere Court, Suite 4141, Box L603


Aurora, CO 80045

Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic is the most profound public health crisis of our lifetime. It has disrupted society and made it clear that our health is determined by a web of interdependent factors influenced by health care, public health, government agencies, businesses, and community-based organizations. Primary care teams were on the front lines from the very beginning and showed up in countless ways, never closing. The unique role of primary care teams during COVID-19 are discussed in this text as well as the impact of the pandemic on these individuals who have dedicated their lives to providing valuable care to their communities.
As the pandemic aftermath lingers on, primary care has been forever changed. Many experts predict that primary care is on the brink of collapse. What can be done to save it? Further, what can be done to strengthen primary care’s vital role in our nation’s health care system, so that it is ready to keep our communities healthy during the next pandemic? In this book, front line primary care teams and health care leaders share personal experiences and advice grounded in reflections on a generation-defining pandemic.
This text is organized in four main parts. The first part focuses on voices from the front lines. The second part discusses the primary care medical home. The third part spotlights primary care team management. The final section centers on policy implications.

Written by experts in the field,
Primary Care in a Public Health Emergency,
 is a valuable resource for primary care teams, community leaders, educators, researchers, and policymakers. While there is voluminous literature about health system transformation, this volume is focused on reviving primary care and building back resiliency after a global crisis.

Product details

• Assisted by: Anthony Cheng (Editor), Jennifer DeVoe (Editor), Jennifer E. DeVoe (Editor), Jennifer E DeVoe (Editor), Lauren S. Hughes (Editor), Lauren S Hughes (Editor)
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Release: 13.04.2026
• EAN: 9783032124869
• ISBN: 978-3-0-3212486-9
• No. of pages: 263
• Illustrations: IV, 263 p. 26 illus., 17 illus. in color.
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Medicine > Clinical medicine; Intensivmedizin, Covid-19, Public Health, Pandemic, Primary Care, Intensive Care Medicine, Primary Care Medicine, medical school