Publication:
Evolution of the Public-Health Response to COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain: A Descriptive Qualitative Study.

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Date

2022-03-23

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Rodriguez-Arrastia, Miguel
García-Martín, Manuel
Romero-López, Ana
Ropero-Padilla, Carmen
Ruiz-Gonzalez, Cristofer
Roman, Pablo
Sanchez-Labraca, Nuria

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The capacity of hospitals and primary care centres has, rightfully, been at the centre of public and political debate on resource availability and control measures during the outbreak of COVID-19 and lockdown. Thus, the aim of this study is to describe the public and professional perceptions towards the evolution of the COVID-19 public-health response, in order to analyse and learn lessons for future health policies in similar situations in the future. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted through 41 in-depth interviews between January and June 2021. Twenty-one healthcare professionals and twenty service users participated in our study. The participants were recruited using purposive sampling. After our data analysis, three main themes emerged: (i) experiences during an unprecedented public health threat: the impact and challenges of early control measures, and outcomes for the public image of nursing; (ii) overcoming the impact of the outbreak on the healthcare system: professional coping strategies in the context of the pandemic, and institutional considerations in hospitals and primary care; and (iii) the efficiency of resource management during the outbreak: perceptions of professionals and healthcare users. Health providers and service users demand structural and organisational changes, as well as resource-optimisation strategies for front-line workers. Nurses need to be involved in decision making in order to provide evidence-based guidelines and ensure well-resourced and supported care practice.

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COVID-19
Communicable Disease Control
Humans
Pandemics
Public Health
Qualitative Research
SARS-CoV-2
Spain

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COVID-19, health personnel, nursing, patients, qualitative research

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