Patients' Health Experiences of Post COVID-19 Condition-A Qualitative Study

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Oct 27;19(21):13980. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192113980.

Abstract

Patients who suffer from long-term symptoms of COVID-19, described as post COVID-19 condition, are a new and large group of patients. There is a lack of knowledge concerning health experiences in this patient group. The aim of this study was to explore patients' health experiences of post COVID-19 condition. Data collection was performed through 14 semi-structured interviews. The qualitative content analysis resulted in six sub-categories, three categories, and an overall theme. Patients experienced symptoms of varying duration-ranging from 5-21 months. The results showed that patients' health experiences of post COVID-19 condition moved between uncertainty and new insights. This was shown by patients experiencing: (1) loss of abilities, including losing smell and taste and lacking energy, (2) loss of control, including being foreign to oneself and seeking answers, and (3) revaluation of life, including accepting the transformed body and prioritizing health. This study illustrates that patients living with post COVID-19 condition need to be treated with flexibility, based on each individual's unique challenges and experiences of the symptoms and the consequences for their health.

Keywords: COVID-19; experience; health; lifestyle; long-term symptoms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Qualitative Research
  • Uncertainty

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the Region Halland Research Council, (HALLAND-965985), the Foundation of Sparbanken Varberg (HALLAND-967873), and the Knowledge foundation (Dnr-280042).