Primary care physicians play an important role in the fight against COVID-19 in Ukraine since they are the entry point into the medical system for the patient. So, what kind of help can Ukrainians count on addressing a family doctor or a primary health care center.
A family doctor, general practitioner, or pediatrician can be consulted regarding the treatment of mild COVID-19 form. Patients with suspected coronavirus disease can be tested by their family doctor (if there are appropriate tests in the medical institution). This is a rapid antigen test, the result of which can be obtained within 15 minutes.
It is important to know that a patient with suspected COVID-19 can go to a primary care center without any declaration. If necessary, s/he will receive a consultation of a practitioner, as well as a SARS-CoV-2 antigen test.
According to the order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine on the organization of medical care for patients with coronavirus, patients with mild and moderate severity of the disease with no reason for hospitalization are recommended to be treated on an outpatient basis. The decision on outpatient treatment is made by the primary care physician after a clinical assessment of the patient’s condition and an assessment of the safety of his/her home environment.
The family doctor can choose how to stay in touch with the patient. This can be either a personal phone number, an office messenger, or an office mobile of the primary care center. Therefore, we advise you to agree in advance on the method and frequency of communication with your doctor.
If the patient’s health condition deteriorates and other symptoms appear that do not pose a threat to life, you should call your doctor during her/his office hours. However an urgent situation requires urgent help: it is a call to 103. By phone, the doctor at the emergency medical center advises patients on coronavirus disease around the clock.
If necessary, an ambulance team comes to the call and assesses the patient’s condition. If necessary, the patient is transported to a hospital designated in the region for the treatment of coronavirus patients. If the patient does not need hospitalization, s/he will be provided with the necessary medical assistance on the spot. Further on the patient’s condition will be monitored by the doctor with whom the declaration has been signed.
Regardless of the fact whether the doctor who signed an agreement with the NHSU has her/his praxis at a public or private institution – public or private, the patient receives the entire range of services provided for by the Medical Guarantee Program free of charge.