Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Anxiety Level, Patient Approach and Oropharyngeal Examination in Family Medicine Outpatient Clinics: A Nationwide Study in Turkey

Aim: Although there are numerous publications on the effects of COVID-19 on mental health, there is limited data on how these effects affect physicians' approach to patients.This study aimed to evaluate family physicians'(FPs) approach to the physical examination of patients who applied to family medicine(FM) outpatient clinics with upper respiratory tract infection symptoms, the influencing factors, and the relationship with FPs’ anxiety levels. Materials and Methods: An online questionnaire form containing sociodemographic information, probable case scenarios evaluating the physicians' approach to patients with upper respiratory tract infection symptoms at different ages, and the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale(CAS) sent to FPs between 19.03.2022-25.04.2022. Results: A total of 376 FPs were included in the study. FPs reported performing oropharynx and respiratory system examinations on 99% of patients presenting with upper respiratory tract infection symptoms before the pandemic. However, with the pandemic, an increase in avoidance behaviours, such as directing the patient to the COVID-19 test centre before examination, has been reported, and oropharynx and lung examinations are performed at lower rates. According to the CAS, 5.1% of the FPs had a level of dysfunctional anxiety that could require treatment. Oropharyngeal inspection, tongue depressor use, and lung auscultation were significantly lower in the dysfunctional anxiety group. Conclusions: Although the CAS scores of FPs were low, it was determined that the rate of oropharyngeal examination decreased, with a higher rate in physicians with dysfunctional anxiety. To prevent the behaviour of avoiding physical examination from continuing after the pandemic, the biopsychosocial well-being of physicians should be supported, and their needs should be determined.