[Perceptions and experiences of users who received outpatient COVID-19 care in Santiago, Chile]

To explore the perceptions and experiences of COVID-19 patients who received outpatient treatment in public health services in the Metropolitan Region of Chile.

An exploratory rapid qualitative study was conducted. Individual, telephonic and semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients who received a COVID-19 diagnosis confirmed by a PCR test and who had outpatient treatment for the disease. A thematic analysis was performed.

Nine interviews were conducted (six female and three male participants). The main emerging themes were: life before COVID-19, living with the disease at home, recovery process, and Ineffective sanitary measures. Most of the participants highlighted the lack of information about their health and the uncertainty about COVID-19 as the cause of fear for their wellbeing. They also felt guilty for putting at risk others due to their COVID-19-positive status.

The experiences of patients show the need to strengthen communication and information strategies for patients who receive outpatient care during the pandemic. This is key to reducing misinformation, fear and uncertainty about the progression of the disease and the potential recovery. Consequently, this could impact clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.