Exploring the care needs of Canadians living with frailty and the role of primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic

Anticipated Findings Leveraging existing relationships with primary care sites across three provinces, this project aims to answer the following questions: i) What are the health care needs and experiences of older Canadians living with frailty, and their family caregivers, during the COVID-19 pandemic (including experiences and needs as a result of physical distancing, support during self-isolation, and access to testing)? Ii) How are primary care clinics responding to the needs of older Canadians and their family caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the three provinces? and, iii)How have these provincial health systems responded to the needs of older adults living with frailty? To answer these questions, we will conduct in-depth individual and group interviews with patients, family caregivers and health care providers, as well as conduct a policy analysis. About the Project On March 11, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus disease (COVID-19) a global pandemic. Over 10M people world-wide have been infected, with 502,947 cases resulting in death (as of 06/29/20; Johns Hopkins University, 2020). COVID-19 can infect anyone, however, older adults with underlying health conditions are at higher risk for developing serious complications from the illness (CDC, 2020). COVID-19 and the associated changes to policy and society are impacting the health care of older adults in unprecedented and profound ways. As a result of COVID-19, many primary care providers have cancelled clinic appointments, home visits, and chronic disease management clinics. Although virtual care has been encouraged in many provinces (RCPSC, 2020), the rate of uptake by the primary care sector, and access by older adults is unclear. Many older adults may not be getting the care they need to manage and protect their health. Project Significance This project will result in learnings during, and beyond, the pandemic answering questions such as: How do we address the needs of patients during pandemics, and as health care and communities 'return to a new normal'? This work will have implications for future pandemic responses, and for other scenarios in which older adults may have to self-isolate and receive care remotely. We will also be able to understand how each province reacted to the pandemic and the resulting health care and patient impacts.