Companion restrictions in the emergency department during COVID-19: physician perceptions from the Western Cape, South Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To determine emergency department (ED) physicians' perceptions regarding hospital companions being prohibited from accompanying the patient during COVID-19.

Design

Two qualitative datasets were combined. Data collected included voice recordings, narrative interviewing and semistructured interviews. A reflexive thematic analysis was conducted and guided by the Normalisation Process Theory.

Setting

Six hospital EDs in the Western Cape, South Africa.

Participants

Convenience sampling was used to recruit a total of eight physicians working full time in the ED during COVID-19.

Results

The lack of physical companions provided an opportunity for physicians to assess and reflect on a companion's role in efficient patient care. Physicians perceived tha

SUBMITTER: Wiebe LE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10163331 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature