Healthcare professionals' perceptions of impacts of the Covid-19-pandemic on outpatient care in rural areas: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Measures to manage the COVID-19 pandemic have led to impacts on healthcare systems and providers worldwide. Outpatient healthcare professionals (HCPs) provide the majority of patient care. Insight into their experiences during a pandemic is rare. Therefore, we explored how primary and secondary care HCPs in a rural area in Germany experienced their work during the pandemic and what health-related outcomes they perceived in their patients. In this context, we also examined the impact on access to and utilization of healthcare and working conditions.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative interview study with outpatient HCPs. We recruited by e-mail, telephone, professional networks and personal contacts. Data were collected between August 2020 and January 2021. All inte

SUBMITTER: Hoerold M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8638652 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature