Changes in Primary Care Health Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Analysis of Data From Ontario

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted primary care, but its effect on quality of care is not well understood. We used health administrative data to understand the changes in quality-of-care measures for primary care between October 2018 and April 2022. We examined the following domains: cancer screening, chronic disease (diabetes) management, high-risk prescribing, continuity of care and capacity of primary care services. Colorectal and breast cancer screenings declined after the pandemic and had not returned to baseline by study end. In patients living with diabetes, in-person visits and up-to-date retinopathy screening rates declined after the pandemic declaration and did not return to baseline by study end, while statin prescribing remained stable. High-risk opioid prescribing decreased over time and was not affected by the pandemic. Physician continuity remained stable, though new patient enrollments decreased over the pandemic but returned to baseline by study end. Existing disparities in colorectal cancer screening by income and recent registration widened during the pandemic. In summary, COVID-19 had a variable impact on primary care, with the strongest influence on preventive and chronic disease care that was dependent on in-person visits.