摘要
IntroduCtIon The emergence of the novel coronavirus disease(COVID-19)in China has resulted in catastrophic events that echo worldwide.Primary care physicians are carrying some of the burden of managing the epidemic alongside secondary care,which is strug-gling to maintain a concerted effort in the face of the mounting pressure of cases.Epidemics affect communities not only biologically but also psychosocially.General practitioners(GPs)in the UK are well posi-tioned to deliver care via a‘whole-person,holistic approach’as they are the first point of contact and provide continuity of care within communities.By reviewing historical epidemics in different countries,we may be able to address the current issues in worldwide by providing pragmatic solutions.In the UK,the successful response to the influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS)epidemics was a result of effective collaboration between different organisations.
