Vulnerability and ethical issues faced by general practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy: some reflections and lessons learned
Federico Nicoli 1 , Giovanna Floridia
2 6 , Ignazio Grattagliano 3 , Donato Greco 4 , Pierantonio Muzzetto 5 , Carlo Petrini 2
1 Center for Clinical Ethics, Biotechnology and Life Sciences Department, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy; Clinical Ethics Service, Domus Salutis Clinic, Teresa Camplani Foundation, Brescia, Italy.
2 Bioethics Unit, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
3 Italian College of General Practitioners and Primary Care, Florence, Italy and Family Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
4 Former General Direction of Prevention, Ministry of Health, Rome, Italy.
5 Deontological Committee of National Federation of Orders of Surgeons and Dentists; University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
6 Corresponding author. Email: giovanna.floridia@iss.it
Journal of Primary Health Care 13(2) 102-105 https://doi.org/10.1071/HC20138
Published: 22 June 2021
Journal Compilation © Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners 2021 This is an open access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Abstract
Vulnerability during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an emotional state that affects all of us globally. The Italian experience shows that our general practitioners (GPs) seem to have a higher rate of death due to COVID-19 infection than other physicians.
This article discusses clinical ethics questions related to the vulnerability of GPs and the community during the pandemic in Italy: the total lack of, or the inadequate protection of personal protective equipment, the increased use of virtual medicine, and the value of a solid synergy between hospitals and territorial systems. We provide a few examples of experiences in other affected countries and populations (Indigenous communities in Brazil, Australia and Germany).
In conclusion, we offer some reflections on the crucial role of communication in dealing with vulnerability issues during this COVID-19 pandemic period.
KEYwords: general practitioner; COVID-19 pandemic; vulnerability; clinical ethics; health care; communication; family practise; virtual medicine.
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