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
VO 6
IS 2
A1 Wanat, Marta
A1 Hoste, Melanie Eugenie
A1 Gobat, Nina Helene
A1 Anastasaki, Marilena
A1 Böhmer, Femke
A1 Chlabicz, Slawomir
A1 Colliers, Annelies
A1 Farrell, Karen
A1 Hollerbach, Sophie
A1 Karkana, Maria-Nefeli
A1 Kinsman, John
A1 Lionis, Christos
A1 Marcinowicz, Ludmila
A1 Reinhardt, Katrin
A1 Skoglund, Ingmarie
A1 Sundvall, Pär-Daniel
A1 Vellinga, Akke
A1 Goossens, Herman
A1 Butler, Christopher C
A1 van der Velden, Alike
A1 Anthierens, Sibyl
A1 Tonkin-Crine, Sarah
YR 2022
UL http://bjgpopen.org/content/6/2/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.