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Publications

Journal Article Ahead of print

PubMed: 42363213 DOI: 10.1186/s13223-026-01052-y

A qualitative study of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare access and service delivery for people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.

Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol

Authors: Katelyn Brehon, Mirsol Choi, Pam Hung, Maxi Miciak, Rachel K Lim, Mohit Bhutani, Kadija Perreault, Paul E Ronksley, Micheal K Stickland, Jason Weatherald, Douglas P Gross, Grace Y Lam

Affiliations

  • Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G4, Canada.
  • Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta and Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G3, Canada.
  • Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G4, Canada.
  • Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
  • École des sciences de la réadaptation, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
  • Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Québec, QC, G1M 2S8, Canada.
  • Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada.
  • O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada.
  • Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G4, Canada.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma diagnosis were lower during and after the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Alberta, Canada. However, it is unknown whether incidences were actually lower or if the pandemic created circumstances where patients did not seek care. As such, the objective of the current study was to explore the impact of COVID-19 on patient and clinician experiences of healthcare access and delivery.

METHODS

The study was conducted between October 2023 and July 2024. We used interpretive description, a qualitative approach with the end-goal of informing clinical decisions. Analysis was informed by Braun and Clarke's six phases of reflexive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

We completed thirteen interviews. Two key themes were generated: (1) The pandemic impacted care-seeking behaviours; and (2) A time and place for virtual and in-person care. Clinicians discussed how access to entry points to the health system were impacted by the pandemic and highlighted how strategies to manage health and stressors impacted symptoms and subsequent care-seeking behaviours. Participants highlighted the positives of virtual and in-person care with the consensus that both are valuable.

CONCLUSION

Future use of virtual care modalities should include a visual element at minimum and prioritize the therapeutic relationship.

MeSH

Incidence, Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive, Covid-19, Pandemics, Asthma, Lung Diseases, Lung Diseases, Obstructive