Study: US Clinicians’ Experiences and Perspectives on Resource Limitation and Patient Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic

US Clinicians’ Experiences and Perspectives on Resources and Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic This qualitative study describes the perspectives and experiences of clinicians involved in institutional planning for resource limitation and/or patient care during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. JAMANetworkOpen

Research Question  How have US clinicians planned for and responded to resource limitation during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic?

Findings  This qualitative study included interviews with 61 clinicians across the United States. While institutions planned for an explicit and systematic approach to resource allocation in crisis settings, this approach did not address many challenges encountered by frontline clinicians, leaving them to struggle with what constituted acceptable standards of care and to make difficult allocation decisions.

Meaning  The findings of this study suggest that expanding the scope of institutional planning to address a broader spectrum of resource limitation may help to support clinicians, promote equity, and optimize care during the pandemic.