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The following is a summary of “When public health emergencies hit the front line: a qualitative study of the patient experience in the emergency department and outpatient infectious disease clinic during the 2022 Mpox clade IIb outbreak,” published in the May 2025 issue of BMC Infectious Diseases by Brick et al. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to explore the experiences of individuals who sought care for mpox clade IIb during the 2022 outbreak to inform future service delivery.  

They enrolled individuals who tested positive for mpox virus (MPXV) between June 1 and December 31, 2022, across 5 Emergency Departments (EDs) and 1 Infectious Disease (ID) clinic within the Johns Hopkins Health System. Researchers interviewed participants in pairs, with 1 serving as interviewer and the other as note-taker. A semi-structured interview guide supported data collection, and post-interview content analysis identified clinical, individual, and system-level factors shaping the patient experience.  

The results showed that out of 73 individuals with MPXV, 47 (64.4%) visited EDs, and 26 (35.6%) attended the ID clinic. A total of 23 participants (31.5%) consented to interviews [n = 13 ED, 27.7%; n = 10 ID,38.5%]. All were male, with a median age of 36 years [IQR 31–41]. Among participants, 65.2% identified as Black [n = 7 ED, 53.8%; n = 7 ID, 70.0%], and 87.0% were men who have sex with men (MSM) [n = 10 ED, 76.9%; n = 10 ID, 100%]. People living with HIV (PWH) accounted for 69.6% [n = 7 ED, 53.8%; n = 9 ID, 90.0%]. The participants of ED reported challenges with follow-up, isolation, and limited access to information on tecoviromat, with nearly half lacking contact from local health departments. Those seen in the ID clinic reported more supportive care linked to established provider relationships. Across both groups, common concerns included stigma, mental health distress, and feelings of isolation.  

Investigators concluded that strengthening cross-sector coordination, enhancing provider training, and reducing stigma were key to improving care delivery for future emerging ID outbreaks. 

Source: bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12879-025-11124-w