RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Patients’ and clinicians’ perspectives on the primary care consultations for acute respiratory infections during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: an eight-country qualitative study in Europe JF BJGP Open JO BJGP Open FD Royal College of General Practitioners SP BJGPO.2021.0172 DO 10.3399/BJGPO.2021.0172 A1 Marta Wanat A1 Melanie Eugenie Hoste A1 Nina Helene Gobat A1 Marilena Anastasaki A1 Femke Böhmer A1 Slawomir Chlabicz A1 Annelies Colliers A1 Karen Farrell A1 Sophie Hollerbach A1 Maria-Nefeli Karkana A1 John Kinsman A1 Christos Lionis A1 Ludmila Marcinowicz A1 Katrin Reinhardt A1 Ingmarie Skoglund A1 Pär-Daniel Sundvall A1 Akke Vellinga A1 Herman Goossens A1 Christopher C Butler A1 Alike van der Velden A1 Sibyl Anthierens A1 Sarah Tonkin-Crine YR 2022 UL http://bjgpopen.org/content/early/2022/04/14/BJGPO.2021.0172.abstract AB Background The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients’ and clinicians’ perceptions of healthcare-seeking behaviour and delivery of care is unclear. The pandemic accelerated the use of remote care, and understanding its benefits and drawbacks may inform its implementation during current and future healthcare emergencies.Aim To explore patients’ and primary care professionals’ (PCPs) experiences of primary care delivery in the first wave of the pandemic.Design & setting Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews in primary care in eight European countries (England, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Greece, Poland, Sweden, and Germany).Method A total of 146 interviews were conducted with 80 PCPs and 66 patients consulting for respiratory tract infection (RTI) symptoms, in eight European countries. Data were collected between April and July 2020, and analysed using thematic analysis.Results It was found that patients accepted telemedicine when PCPs spent time to understand and address their concerns, but a minority preferred in-person consultations. PCPs felt that remote consultations created emotional distance between themselves and patients, and they reported having to manage diverse COVID-19-related medical and social concerns.Conclusion Remote consultations for RTI symptoms may be acceptable long term if both groups are happy to use this format, but it is important that PCPs take time to address patients’ concerns and provide safety-netting advice.