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Finding the 'right' GP : a qualitative study of the experiences of people with long-COVID
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Kingstone, Tom, Taylor, Anna K., O'Donnell, Catherine A., Atherton, Helen, Blane, David N. and Chew-Graham, Carolyn A. (2020) Finding the 'right' GP : a qualitative study of the experiences of people with long-COVID. BJGP Open, 4 (5). bjgpopen20X101143. doi:10.3399/bjgpopen20X101143 ISSN 2398-3795.
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WRAP-finding-'right'-GP-qualitative-study-experiences-people-long-COVID-Atherton-2020.pdf - Published Version - Requires a PDF viewer. Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Download (667Kb) | Preview |
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3399/bjgpopen20X101143
Abstract
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: To explore experiences of people with persisting symptoms following COVID-19 infection, and their views on primary care support received.
Design & setting: 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: 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: This article reports analysis of 24 interviews. The main themes include: the ‘hard and heavy work’ of enduring and managing symptoms and accessing care; living with uncertainty, helplessness and fear, particularly over whether recovery is possible; the importance of finding the 'right' GP (understanding, empathy, and support needed); and recovery and rehabilitation: what would help?
Conclusion: 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.
Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||||||
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Subjects: | R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine R Medicine > RC Internal medicine |
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Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences > Social Science & Systems in Health (SSSH) Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School |
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Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | COVID-19 (Disease) , COVID-19 (Disease) -- Patients -- —Long-term care, COVID-19 (Disease) -- Epidemiology, Coronavirus infections, Coronavirus infections -- Patients -- —Long-term care, Primary care (Medicine), Physicians (General practice) -- Attitudes | ||||||||
Journal or Publication Title: | BJGP Open | ||||||||
Publisher: | Royal College of General Practitioners | ||||||||
ISSN: | 2398-3795 | ||||||||
Official Date: | December 2020 | ||||||||
Dates: |
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Volume: | 4 | ||||||||
Number: | 5 | ||||||||
Article Number: | bjgpopen20X101143 | ||||||||
DOI: | 10.3399/bjgpopen20X101143 | ||||||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||||||
Publication Status: | Published | ||||||||
Access rights to Published version: | Open Access (Creative Commons) | ||||||||
Date of first compliant deposit: | 21 October 2020 | ||||||||
Date of first compliant Open Access: | 22 October 2020 |
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