Introduction The evolving landscape of general practice (GP)/family medicine (FM)
in the post-COVID-19 era, focussing on integrating telemedicine and remote consultations
requires a new definition for this specialty. Hence, a broader consensus-based definition
of post-COVID-19 GP/FM is warranted.Methods This study involved a modified electronic
Delphi technique involving 27 specialists working in primary care recruited via convenient
and snowball sampling. The Delphi survey was conducted online between August 2022
and April 2023, utilizing the Google Forms platform. Descriptive statistics were employed
to analyse consensus across Delphi rounds.Results Twenty-six international experts
participated in the survey. The retention rate through the second and third Delphi
rounds was 96.2% (n = 25). The broader consensus definition emphasizes person-centred
care, collaborative patient-physician partnerships, and a holistic approach to health,
including managing acute and chronic conditions through in-person or remote access
based on patient preferences, medical needs, and local health system organization.Conclusion
The study highlights the importance of continuity of care, prevention, and coordination
with other healthcare professionals as core values of primary care. It also reflects
the role of GP/FM in addressing new challenges post-pandemic, such as healthcare delivery
beyond standard face-to-face care (e.g. remote consultations) and an increasingly
important role in the prevention of infectious diseases. This underscores the need
for ongoing research and patient involvement to continually refine and improve primary
healthcare delivery in response to changing healthcare landscapes.
