AAFP releases clinical guidance sheet, resources to help PCPs prep for flu season
The American Academy of Family Physicians has released new, free resources to help primary care physicians navigate the upcoming influenza season.
The resources — a clinical guidance sheet, COVID-19 and influenza patient action plan and medical history form for patients aged 65 years and older — aim to prepare physicians for the combination of COVID-19 and a influenza season that is projected to be severe.
“Nearly every family physician is likely to care for patients exposed to or ill with the flu or COVID, and we know that older adults are among those that face higher rates of severe complications and death from these diseases,” Julie Wood, MD, MPH, the AAFP’s senior vice president for Research, Science and Health of the Public, said in a press release.
The clinical guidance sheet, which can be found here, is broken down into three sections: vaccinating patients, diagnosing and testing patients and treating patients.
Vaccinating patients, according to the release, comes with “detailed recommendations” for influenza and COVID-19 vaccines, advice on co-administering the vaccines and more. It also encourages primary care providers “to strongly recommend all eligible recommended vaccinations during routine or preventive office visits.”
The section on diagnosing and testing patients provides information on influenza and COVID-19 symptoms, discusses infection prevention and control measures, addresses the use of telehealth for certain patients and reminds physicians that patients can be infected with both influenza and COVID-19 at the same time, “and that testing for both viruses is needed to exclude one or the other.”
The treatment section offers resources on antiviral medications and clinical considerations for outpatient COVID-19 treatment.
Rounding out the guidance sheet are the patient action plan and medical history form, which are both designed for older patients.
“Family physicians are well positioned to provide care for older adults in many different settings,” Wood said in the release. “Our goal is primary prevention with vaccines and other preventive measures, but it is also important for the patient or their caregiver to be aware of testing and treatment options, ideally before they become ill. The new guidance documents the AAFP has developed facilitate family physicians getting those action plans in place for their practices and patients.”
Earlier this year, Healio launched a COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy discussion guide, which includes clear and accurate answers to common questions concerning the COVID-19 vaccines that are authorized in the U.S.