RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Challenges in Receiving Care for Long COVID: A Qualitative Interview Study Among Primary Care Patients About Expectations and Experiences
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 3145
DO 10.1370/afm.3145
A1 Gardner, Elena
A1 Lockrey, Alex
A1 Stoesser, Kirsten L.
A1 Leiser, Jennifer P.
A1 Brown, Jeanette
A1 Kiraly, Bernadette
A1 Ose, Dominik J.
YR 2024
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/early/2024/08/23/afm.3145.abstract
AB BACKGROUND For many patients with post–COVID-19 condition (long COVID), primary care is the first point of interaction with the health care system. In principle, primary care is well situated to manage long COVID. Beyond expressions of disempowerment, however, the patient’s perspective regarding the quality of long COVID care is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the expectations and experiences of primary care patients seeking treatment for long COVID.METHODS A phenomenological approach guided this analysis. Using purposive sampling, we conducted semistructured interviews with English-speaking, adult primary care patients describing symptoms of long COVID. We deidentified and transcribed the recorded interviews. Transcripts were analyzed using inductive qualitative content analysis.RESULTS This article reports results from 19 interviews (53% female, mean age = 54 years). Patients expected their primary care practitioners (PCPs) to be knowledgeable about long COVID, attentive to their individual condition, and to engage in collaborative processes for treatment. Patients described 2 areas of experiences. First, interactions with clinicians were perceived as positive when clinicians were honest and validating, and negative when patients felt dismissed or discouraged. Second, patients described challenges navigating the fragmented US health care system when coordinating care, treatment and testing, and payment.CONCLUSION Primary care patients’ experiences seeking care for long COVID are incongruent with their expectations. Patients must overcome barriers at each level of the health care system and are frustrated by the constant challenges. PCPs and other health care professionals might increase congruence with expectations and experiences through listening, validating, and advocating for patients with long COVID.