Investigating the Effect of Weather Events on Primary Care Clinicians across the United States.
Climate Change
Family Physicians
Primary Health Care
Surveys and Questionnaires
Weather
Journal
Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM
ISSN: 1558-7118
Titre abrégé: J Am Board Fam Med
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101256526
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
31 Oct 2023
31 Oct 2023
Historique:
received:
29
03
2023
revised:
11
04
2023
revised:
14
06
2023
accepted:
20
06
2023
medline:
1
11
2023
pubmed:
1
11
2023
entrez:
31
10
2023
Statut:
aheadofprint
Résumé
When we consider weather impacts, we mainly consider how the event affects the person, not the clinicians treating them. There is a paucity of studies discussing the effect of weather on the clinicians and the care of their patients. A survey covering weather effects was distributed to American Academy of Family Physicians National Research Network (AAFP NRN) members in August 2020. Descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact tests were completed on the survey responses. Postsurvey interviews were conducted with selected respondents about specific weather events. Survey respondents were US physicians (88.7%) and 84.9% indicated more than 1 type of event has affected their practice. Respondents were most affected by snow/snowstorm (81.1%) and indicated they had to close for the day or longer and staff were unable to make it into clinic (79.2%). Respondents indicated respiratory (94.5%), mental health (81.8%), and musculoskeletal conditions (50.9%) were most affected by weather. Interviews with selected respondents covered weather topics including winter, summer, and flooding. Survey respondents/interviewees indicated weather affects them in a variety of ways including issues with patients' conditions and practice effects. Clinicians have noticed a change to their areas' weather over the years, but, generally, warming is occurring.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
When we consider weather impacts, we mainly consider how the event affects the person, not the clinicians treating them. There is a paucity of studies discussing the effect of weather on the clinicians and the care of their patients.
METHODS
METHODS
A survey covering weather effects was distributed to American Academy of Family Physicians National Research Network (AAFP NRN) members in August 2020. Descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact tests were completed on the survey responses. Postsurvey interviews were conducted with selected respondents about specific weather events.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Survey respondents were US physicians (88.7%) and 84.9% indicated more than 1 type of event has affected their practice. Respondents were most affected by snow/snowstorm (81.1%) and indicated they had to close for the day or longer and staff were unable to make it into clinic (79.2%). Respondents indicated respiratory (94.5%), mental health (81.8%), and musculoskeletal conditions (50.9%) were most affected by weather. Interviews with selected respondents covered weather topics including winter, summer, and flooding.
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSIONS
Survey respondents/interviewees indicated weather affects them in a variety of ways including issues with patients' conditions and practice effects. Clinicians have noticed a change to their areas' weather over the years, but, generally, warming is occurring.
Identifiants
pubmed: 37907348
pii: jabfm.2023.230128R2
doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2023.230128R2
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Informations de copyright
© Copyright by the American Board of Family Medicine.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Conflict of interest: None.