The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare providers globally. The firsthand lived experiences of healthcare professionals who worked on the frontlines are invaluable. This study explores the experiences of frontline physicians during the early waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a descriptive qualitative study conducted in Isfahan, Iran, during September and October 2020, in anticipation of the third wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Thirteen physicians from COVID-19-designated hospitals affiliated to the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences were purposively selected for semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using content analysis method. Our study identified seven main categories with 17 subcategories, encapsulating healthcare professionals' experiences during the pandemic. These categories include (1) clinical decision-making in fog, (2) an unprepared health system, (3) defects in the education and research system, (4) homecare as a missing component in the healthcare system, (5) culture as a barrier, (6) poor interdisciplinary collaboration, and (7) concerns and mental rumination due to COVID-19. The findings of this study provide valuable insight into the experiences and decision-making processes of healthcare professionals throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support and better preparedness for probable future health crises.