Background: COVID-19 infection is a disease that remains the main concern globally due to high admissions and fatality rates among patients. Clinical manifestation and choice of treatment are various. Therefore, this study was developed to explore the physicians’ perceptions in this regard in a semi-governmental hospital in Sharjah.
Aims and Objectives: The objective of this research is to (1) to outline physicians’ descriptions of the clinical presentation of COVID-19, (2) to explore the physicians’ perceptions regarding the different aspects of COVID-19 and its complications, and (3) explore the physicians’ experiences regarding the treatment of COVID-19 cases.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive qualitative design was approached. A semi-structured interview guide was developed, validated and used for data collection. Ten in-depth individual interviews with physicians were conducted. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed.
Results: After analysis, three main themes with their sub-themes emerged to describe physicians’ experience regarding COVID-19’s clinical presentation, complications, and management. Sub-themes cleared-up COVID-19’s signs, symptoms, and risk factors along with admission’s requirements. Furthermore, it showed COVID-19’s complication in main organs. Moreover, COVID-19’s treatment was clarified for both home-quarantine and admitted patients along with instructions for discharged patients.
Conclusion: Cases varied in severity and classified from asymptomatic to severe. It showed the requirements for hospitalization and risk factors associated with severity. The management of COVID-19 disease followed by MOHAP protocol and provided adequate outcomes from physicians. Vaccination was one of physicians’ recommendations.
Key words: COVID-19; Complications; COVID-19 Pneumonia; Coronavirus CVDs; Post-COVID; Qualitative
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