✅ Primary healthcare in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative interview study in Sweden

Health

Objective To explore how primary healthcare workers in Sweden experienced and perceived the long-term impact of the pandemic on their work. Design This is a descriptive qualitative study with individual semistructured interviews conducted 2 years after the onset of COVID-19. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach. Setting Swedish primary healthcare units in rural and urban locations. Participants 29 healthcare providers (6 registered nurses, 7 assistant nurses, 8 physicians and 8 managers) in Swedish primary healthcare. Results Data analysis yielded three overarching themes: (1) primary healthcare still affected by the pandemic; (2) primary healthcare changes made permanent; and (3) lessons learnt for handling future crises affecting primary healthcare.

BMJ     Jul 28, 2024