European Journal of General Practice (Dec 2023)

The experiences of patients ill with COVID-19-like symptoms and the role of testing for SARS-CoV-2 in supporting them: A qualitative study in eight European countries during the first wave of the pandemic

  • Melanie E. Hoste,
  • Marta Wanat,
  • Nina Gobat,
  • Marilena Anastasaki,
  • Femke Böhmer,
  • Sławomir Chlabicz,
  • Annelies Colliers,
  • Karen Farrell,
  • Maria-Nefeli Karkana,
  • John Kinsman,
  • Christos Lionis,
  • Ludmila Marcinowicz,
  • Katrin Reinhardt,
  • Ingmarie Skoglund,
  • Pär-Daniel Sundvall,
  • Akke Vellinga,
  • Herman Goossens,
  • Christopher C. Butler,
  • Alike van der Velden,
  • Sarah Tonkin-Crine,
  • Sibyl Anthierens

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/13814788.2023.2212904
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 29, no. 2

Abstract

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AbstractBackground Access to testing during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was limited, impacting patients with COVID-19-like symptoms. Current qualitative studies have been limited to one country or were conducted outside Europe.Objectives To explore - in eight European countries - the experiences of patients consulting in primary care with COVID-19-like symptoms during the first wave of the pandemic.Methods Sixty-six semi-structured interviews, informed by a topic guide, were conducted by telephone or in person between April and July 2020. Patients with COVID-19-like symptoms were purposively recruited in primary care sites in eight countries and sampled based on age, gender, and symptom presentation. Deductive and inductive thematic analysis techniques were used to develop a framework representing data across settings. Data adequacy was attained by collecting rich data.Results Seven themes were identified, which described the experiences of patients consulting. Two themes are reported in this manuscript describing the role of COVID-19 testing in this experience. Patients described significant distress due to their symptoms, especially those at higher risk of complications from COVID-19, and those with severe symptoms. Patients wanted access to testing to identify the cause of their illness and minimise the burden of managing uncertainty. Some patients testing positive for COVID-19 assumed they would be immune from future infection.Conclusion Patients experiencing novel and severe symptoms, particularly those with comorbidities, experienced a significant emotional and psychological burden due to concerns about COVID-19. Testing provided reassurance over health status and helped patients identify which guidance to follow. Testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 led to some patients thinking they were immune from future infection, thus influencing subsequent behaviour.

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