TY - INPR A1 - Siebenhofer, Andrea A1 - Huter, Sebastian A1 - Avian, Alexander A1 - Mergenthal, Karola A1 - Schaffler-Schaden, Dagmar A1 - Spary-Kainz, Ulrike A1 - Bachler, Herbert A1 - Flamm, Maria T1 - COVI-Prim survey: Challenges for Austrian and German general practitioners during initial phase of COVID-19 T2 - medRxiv N2 - Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) represents a significant challenge to health care systems around the world. A well-functioning primary care system is crucial in epidemic situations as it plays an important role in the development of a system-wide response. Methods 2,187 Austrian and German GPs answered an internet suvey on preparedness, testing, staff protection, perception of risk, self-confidence, a decrease in the number of patient contacts, and efforts to control the spread of the virus in the practice during the early phase of the COVID-pandemic (3rd to 30th April). Results The completion rate of the questionnaire was high (90.9%). GPs gave low ratings to their preparedness for a pandemic, testing of suspected cases and efforts to protect staff. The provision of information to GPs and the perception of risk were rated as moderate. On the other hand, the participants rated their self-confidence, a decrease in patient contacts and their efforts to control the spread of the disease highly. Conclusion Primary care is an important resource for dealing with a pandemic like COVID-19. The workforce is confident and willing to take an active role, but needs to be provided with the appropriate surrounding conditions. This will require that certain conditions are met. Registration Trial registration at the German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00021231 Y1 - 2020 UR - http://publikationen.ub.uni-frankfurt.de/frontdoor/index/index/docId/73572 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:hebis:30:3-735723 IS - 2020.11.24.20237743 ER -