Considerations and experiences with healthcare-seeking during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Denmark
Aim To (1) examine considerations before and experiences with GP contact during the first COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown among Danish citizens; (2) analyse the associations with sex, age, chronic disease, and socioeconomic factors; and (3) explore changes in healthcare-seeking behaviou...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02813432.2025.2452924 |
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| author | Isabella Raasthøj Holst Lisa Maria Sele Sætre Gitte Bruun Lauridsen Kirubakaran Balasubramaniam Peter Haastrup Sonja Wehberg Dorte Ejg Jarbøl |
| author_facet | Isabella Raasthøj Holst Lisa Maria Sele Sætre Gitte Bruun Lauridsen Kirubakaran Balasubramaniam Peter Haastrup Sonja Wehberg Dorte Ejg Jarbøl |
| author_sort | Isabella Raasthøj Holst |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Aim To (1) examine considerations before and experiences with GP contact during the first COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown among Danish citizens; (2) analyse the associations with sex, age, chronic disease, and socioeconomic factors; and (3) explore changes in healthcare-seeking behaviour post-pandemic.Method A total of 100,000 Danes aged 20 years or older, randomly selected in the general population, were invited to participate in a survey examining considerations and experiences with healthcare seeking during the first COVID-19 lockdown. Data were collected in spring 2022 and linked to register data on socioeconomic factors. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models were applied.Results Of the 27,369 eligible individuals, 18% reported a need to contact their GP. Being worried about burdening the healthcare system was most frequently reported (45%), followed by being in doubt about acceptable contact reasons (33%), and concern about infection (24%). Although 44% of those who needed to contact their GP found the digital solutions advantageous, individuals frequently found it difficult to discuss symptoms by telehealth (29%) and that they were examined less thoroughly. Generally, women, younger people, and individuals with lower socioeconomic status were more likely to be worried and report difficulties with contact to general practice. Some 86% of the respondents reported no changes in healthcare-seeking behaviour post-pandemic.Conclusion The results may assist in the organisation of healthcare in case of future lockdowns. Yet, the COVID-19 pandemic has only slightly affected the healthcare-seeking behaviour in the Danish general population. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0aae5994c8ff4fc9ae79dc44eb81287e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0281-3432 1502-7724 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care |
| spelling | doaj-art-0aae5994c8ff4fc9ae79dc44eb81287e2025-01-20T12:52:52ZengTaylor & Francis GroupScandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care0281-34321502-77242025-01-0111410.1080/02813432.2025.2452924Considerations and experiences with healthcare-seeking during the first COVID-19 lockdown in DenmarkIsabella Raasthøj Holst0Lisa Maria Sele Sætre1Gitte Bruun Lauridsen2Kirubakaran Balasubramaniam3Peter Haastrup4Sonja Wehberg5Dorte Ejg Jarbøl6The Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, DenmarkThe Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, DenmarkThe Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, DenmarkThe Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, DenmarkThe Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, DenmarkThe Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, DenmarkThe Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, DenmarkAim To (1) examine considerations before and experiences with GP contact during the first COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown among Danish citizens; (2) analyse the associations with sex, age, chronic disease, and socioeconomic factors; and (3) explore changes in healthcare-seeking behaviour post-pandemic.Method A total of 100,000 Danes aged 20 years or older, randomly selected in the general population, were invited to participate in a survey examining considerations and experiences with healthcare seeking during the first COVID-19 lockdown. Data were collected in spring 2022 and linked to register data on socioeconomic factors. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models were applied.Results Of the 27,369 eligible individuals, 18% reported a need to contact their GP. Being worried about burdening the healthcare system was most frequently reported (45%), followed by being in doubt about acceptable contact reasons (33%), and concern about infection (24%). Although 44% of those who needed to contact their GP found the digital solutions advantageous, individuals frequently found it difficult to discuss symptoms by telehealth (29%) and that they were examined less thoroughly. Generally, women, younger people, and individuals with lower socioeconomic status were more likely to be worried and report difficulties with contact to general practice. Some 86% of the respondents reported no changes in healthcare-seeking behaviour post-pandemic.Conclusion The results may assist in the organisation of healthcare in case of future lockdowns. Yet, the COVID-19 pandemic has only slightly affected the healthcare-seeking behaviour in the Danish general population.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02813432.2025.2452924COVID-19general practiceprimary health carehelp-seeking behaviourtelemedicine |
| spellingShingle | Isabella Raasthøj Holst Lisa Maria Sele Sætre Gitte Bruun Lauridsen Kirubakaran Balasubramaniam Peter Haastrup Sonja Wehberg Dorte Ejg Jarbøl Considerations and experiences with healthcare-seeking during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Denmark Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care COVID-19 general practice primary health care help-seeking behaviour telemedicine |
| title | Considerations and experiences with healthcare-seeking during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Denmark |
| title_full | Considerations and experiences with healthcare-seeking during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Denmark |
| title_fullStr | Considerations and experiences with healthcare-seeking during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Denmark |
| title_full_unstemmed | Considerations and experiences with healthcare-seeking during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Denmark |
| title_short | Considerations and experiences with healthcare-seeking during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Denmark |
| title_sort | considerations and experiences with healthcare seeking during the first covid 19 lockdown in denmark |
| topic | COVID-19 general practice primary health care help-seeking behaviour telemedicine |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02813432.2025.2452924 |
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