Understanding the human fit of access during initial recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study in English general practice.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Access to general practice in England is a challenging issue of enduring importance. COVID-19 precipitated various abrupt changes, exposing and compounding existing problems. The access as human fit conceptualisation provides a nuanced understanding of access that extends beyond a limited focus on appointment numbers and speed. This qualitative study explored the pandemic's impact on access to general practice and the experiences of patients and healthcare staff in England using access as human fit as an analytical framework.

Design

A community-based participatory approach underpinned by qualitative semi-structured interviews and focus groups, and observations.

Setting and participants

The following were conducted in Northwest England (December 2021-August

SUBMITTER: Hammond J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12530364 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature