Hasselt Corona Impact Study: Impact of COVID-19 on healthcare seeking in a small Dutch town

Introduction We explored reasons for healthcare avoidance during the first COVID-19 wave in a region with high infection rates. Methods We conducted a mixed-method study using primary care electronic health records (n=5,980), questionnaires (n=2,361), semi-structured interviews (n=12), and an AI model to identify COVID-19 patients in a Dutch small town. Results Of 2,391 respondents (39% response rate), 535 (23%) reported COVID-19-related symptoms. Of these, 180 sought help, mostly from their GP. The care-seeking rate did not differ significantly between those with or without relatives who experienced severe illness or death before their own illness (p=0.270). Interviews revealed that the primary reason for not seeking help was the perception of not being ill enough and the overstressed healthcare system, especially GP services. Conclusion Only a third of participants with symptoms sought help, mostly from GPs. No significant difference in seeking healthcare was related to the serious illness or death of loved ones.