"I Am Not the Same as I Was Before": A Qualitative Analysis of COVID-19 Survivors.
Int J Behav Med
; 2022 Oct 13.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2060075
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Little is known about the illness experience of patients' long-term emotional and physical recovery from severe COVID-19 infection. This study aimed to expand upon the recovery process of COVID-19 survivors up to 6 months after hospital discharge.METHODS:
Qualitative analysis of free-response answers from a cohort study of 152 patients ≥ 18 years hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 surveyed at 1-month post hospital discharge and 6-months post hospital discharge. Responses were analyzed with a grounded theory approach to identify overarching themes.RESULTS:
Participants described persistent complications, both physical and mental, that have affected their recovery from COVID-19. Five overarching themes of post-acute patient experiences were generated (1) an increased awareness of a mind and body connection, (2) feelings of premature aging, (3) an overall decline in quality of life, (4) a continued fear of infection, and (5) methods of coping.CONCLUSIONS:
Patients described lasting changes to their mental health and overall quality of life in connection to physical complications after severe COVID-19 infection. Patients' reports of their experience call for a greater awareness of the psychological aspects of COVID-19 recovery to provide both physical and psychological rehabilitation services. Additional resources such as education around re-infection and financial resources are needed.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Cohort study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
Topics:
Long Covid
Language:
English
Journal subject:
Behavioral Sciences
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
S12529-022-10129-y
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