Finding the 'right' GP: a qualitative study of the experiences of people with long-COVID.
Covid-19
Primary care
chest pain
cognitive impairment
fatigue
general practice
headache
long-COVID
persistent symptoms
primary healthcare
qualitative research
severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Journal
BJGP open
ISSN: 2398-3795
Titre abrégé: BJGP Open
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101713531
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Dec 2020
Dec 2020
Historique:
received:
03
09
2020
accepted:
24
09
2020
pubmed:
15
10
2020
medline:
15
10
2020
entrez:
14
10
2020
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
An unknown proportion of people who had an apparently mild COVID-19 infection continue to suffer with persistent symptoms, including chest pain, shortness of breath, muscle and joint pains, headaches, cognitive impairment ('brain fog'), and fatigue. Post-acute COVID-19 ('long-COVID') seems to be a multisystem disease, sometimes occurring after a mild acute illness; people struggling with these persistent symptoms refer to themselves as 'long haulers'. To explore experiences of people with persisting symptoms following COVID-19 infection, and their views on primary care support received. Qualitative methodology, with semi-structured interviews to explore perspectives of people with persisting symptoms following suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection. Participants were recruited via social media between July-August 2020. Interviews were conducted by telephone or video call, digitally recorded, and transcribed with consent. Thematic analysis was conducted applying constant comparison techniques. People with experience of persisting symptoms contributed to study design and data analysis. This article reports analysis of 24 interviews. The main themes include: the This study will raise awareness among primary care professionals, and commissioners, of long-COVID and the range of symptoms people are experiencing. Patients require their GP to believe their symptoms and to demonstrate empathy and understanding. Ongoing support by primary care professionals during recovery and rehabilitation is crucial.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
An unknown proportion of people who had an apparently mild COVID-19 infection continue to suffer with persistent symptoms, including chest pain, shortness of breath, muscle and joint pains, headaches, cognitive impairment ('brain fog'), and fatigue. Post-acute COVID-19 ('long-COVID') seems to be a multisystem disease, sometimes occurring after a mild acute illness; people struggling with these persistent symptoms refer to themselves as 'long haulers'.
AIM
OBJECTIVE
To explore experiences of people with persisting symptoms following COVID-19 infection, and their views on primary care support received.
DESIGN & SETTING
METHODS
Qualitative methodology, with semi-structured interviews to explore perspectives of people with persisting symptoms following suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection. Participants were recruited via social media between July-August 2020.
METHOD
METHODS
Interviews were conducted by telephone or video call, digitally recorded, and transcribed with consent. Thematic analysis was conducted applying constant comparison techniques. People with experience of persisting symptoms contributed to study design and data analysis.
RESULTS
RESULTS
This article reports analysis of 24 interviews. The main themes include: the
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
This study will raise awareness among primary care professionals, and commissioners, of long-COVID and the range of symptoms people are experiencing. Patients require their GP to believe their symptoms and to demonstrate empathy and understanding. Ongoing support by primary care professionals during recovery and rehabilitation is crucial.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33051223
pii: bjgpopen20X101143
doi: 10.3399/bjgpopen20X101143
pmc: PMC7880173
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2020, The Authors.
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