‘They're getting a taste of our world’: A qualitative study of people with multiple sclerosis' experiences of accessing health care during the COVID‐19 pandemic in the Australian Capital Territory

Abstract

Background People with multiple sclerosis (MS), who are often immunocompromised, require complex care and engage with a variety of health‐care providers to manage their health. Objective To elucidate people with MS' experiences of accessing health care during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Australia. Design A qualitative study involving semi‐structured interviews and thematic analysis. Settings and participants Eight adults with a clinical diagnosis of MS participated in telephone or video call interviews between June and July 2020. Results Participants were aware that having MS made them more vulnerable to contracting COVID‐19. In some cases, usual care was postponed or not sought. Some circumstances warranted the risk of a face‐to‐face consultation. Benefits of telehealth consultations included improved access, convenience and being contact‐free. In comparison with video consultations, those via telephone were considered less personal and limited capacity to read body language, and for physical examination. Most participants hoped to incorporate telehealth into their future health‐care routines. Discussion and conclusion Personal risk assessment and trust in health‐care professionals are determinants of the mode through which people with MS accessed health care during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Telehealth has been a valuable tool to mitigate COVID‐19 transmission through enabling contact‐free consultations. People with MS may find specific value in video consultations, which enable visualization of physical function. There is a need for training and support for all clinicians to conduct remote consultations. Patient or public contribution This study was conducted by a team comprised of four people with MS, a neurologist and four health services researchers.

Reimagining consumer involvement: Resilient system indicators in the COVID‐19 pandemic response in New South Wales, Australia

“…35,38 The direct and indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient care services and health outcomes in NSW have been reported by several authors, 2,39 including some reporting concerns raised by consumer representatives. 40,41 Dimopoulos-Bick and Walsh 40…”

“…The direct and indirect impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on patient care services and health outcomes in NSW have been reported by several authors, 2 , 39 including some reporting concerns raised by consumer representatives. 40 , 41 Dimopoulos‐Bick and Walsh 40 suggested that avenues of consumer representation were severely reduced in the early period of the pandemic outbreak. Besides that study, limited research has been conducted regarding the impact of the pandemic on consumer participation in the Australian healthcare system.…”

Frontline and forgotten: Community nurses’ experience of shielding during COVID-19

“…Numerous studies on the effectiveness of this technology have been conducted throughout the pandemic (Maffoni et al, 2021). Although some felt VAs were less personal, and some patients missed the reassurance of a physical examination, the bene ts of contact-free consultations during the pandemic were appreciated (Parkinson et al, 2021). Virtual appointments have increased accessibility to HCPs, reduced travelling times, and protected CEV patients due to less exposure to others (Maffoni et al, 2021).…”

“I am hesitant to visit the doctor unless absolutely necessary”: A qualitative study of delayed care, avoidance of care, and telehealth experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…[1] Reduced access to care during the COVID-19 pandemic has increased emergency department visits for acute issues such as appendicitis, heart attack, and stroke, [2,3] increased late stage diagnosis and treatment of cancer, [4] increased adverse maternal health outcomes, [5] and delayed diagnosis of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and mental health diagnoses. [6] Health care adaptations have been dynamic during the COVID-19 pandemic [7,8] in response to changing guidelines and policies aimed at preventing health care facilities from becoming overwhelmed. [9] Telehealth usage increased during the pandemic, [10] with many encounters shifting to virtual care.…”

“…Health care adaptations have been dynamic during the COVID-19 pandemic [7,8] in response to changing guidelines and policies aimed at preventing health care facilities from becoming overwhelmed. [9] Telehealth usage increased during the pandemic, [10] with many encounters shifting to virtual care.…”