Table 3 Illustrative quotes related to anticipated benefits and challenges of DCTS-tools 1, 2, and 3

CT can be executed more efficiently

“I think this [DCTS-tool 1] can be pretty useful. For the simple reason that I think that you shouldn’t do work that you don’t really have to do. And people can do this themselves very well.” PHS-doctor, female, late-30’s.

“The advantage is that you want people informed about their risks as soon as possible. And if it takes too long for PHS to call people, you can be one or two days late. So that speed is pretty important. This [DCTS-tool 2] can definitely help with that.” PHS-doctor, male, late-50’s.

“Maybe people think ‘I need to really have a fever to get tested’. But when they are immediately told to get tested, even with mild symptoms, you can get them to test sooner.” PHS-nurse, female, early-30’s.

Cases and contact persons have more opportunities to participate in CT in a manner how it best suits them

“What makes this [DCTS-tool 1] especially pleasant for people is that they can do it at a moment of their choice, and not at that particular moment when they are in a supermarket with screaming kids … because, of course, that is when PHS always call.” PHS-nurse, female, early-30’s.

“Not everyone wants to share their contacts with PHS, for all sorts of reasons. But they do want to personally inform their contacts. So, I think it would be good if they are given the opportunity to do so.” PHS-doctor, female, early-30’s.

“It could give a lot of people a sense of freedom, that they can do it themselves. Instead of them being watched and ‘stalked’ by PHS.” PHS-nurse, female, early 50’s.

Enhanced quality of CT-data collection and administration

“The way it is now, is that someone gives you the information over the phone. And you quickly write it down somewhere, and then you have to enter it somewhere again. So, you make mistakes sometimes. I think this [DCTS-tool 1] is much less prone to such errors.” PHS-nurse, female, mid-20’s.

“If we could get feedback on which contacts were informed, that would be really great. That would give us a more complete picture of the information transfers, but also, for example, in the numbers of contacts.” PHS-nurse, male, early-40’s.

“If PHS can also receive these data, I see added value in this [DCTS-tool 3]. That if someone registers symptoms, that we also receive that. Because in a scaled down situation, we now have no data from contact persons at all.” PHS-nurse, female, mid-20’s

Adequate execution of CT strongly depends on the willingness and skills of cases and contact persons

“When you do this by phone, you can immediately start putting data into the systems and start calling contacts. The disadvantage when people digitally do this themselves, is that you’re always dependent on when you get their data”. PHS-nurse, female, early 40’s.

“When cases notify their own contacts, you don’t really have insights in where the transmission is happening. It means that you have less control, less grip over what is happening with the virus.” PHS-doctor, female, late-30’s.

“You are not on top of things when something changes for the contact. So, when they think ‘it’s nothing’, or ‘it’s not COVID’, you will miss them.” PHS-nurse, male, mid-50’s.

Concerns about limited support and guidance for cases and contact persons in the CT-process

“I think that a lot of people, when they see or hear their testing result, that they are concerned. They have a lot to get of their chest. So, you have to comfort or inform them before you tell them to do this.” PHS-doctor, male, late-50’s.

“I think that cases will often not, or not completely notify their contacts. Maybe they didn’t understand the instructions, or they feel very uncomfortable. They are sick and may have infected others. It can be pretty difficult when you have to go tell that to someone.” PHS-nurse, female, early-30’s

“Often people need a pep talk to maintain their motivation to stay in quarantine, for example. What are your issues and how can we solve those? That somebody thinks along and shows you understanding. That’s something you’re missing with this [DCTS-tool 3].” PHS-nurse, female, early 50’s.