Lived Experiences of COVID-19 Recovered Patients

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Payame Noor, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health, Torbat Jam Faculty of Medical Sciences, Torbat Jam, Iran

4 Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Research Center for Social Determinants of Health, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran

5 Veterinarian, Department of Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 impacts individuals not only physically but also spans various psychological, social, and economic dimensions of their lives. This study aimed to identify the lived experiences of individuals who recovered from COVID-19 while being hospitalized, using a qualitative phenomenological approach.
Methods: This qualitative study, utilizing a phenomenological strategy was conducted with individuals who had recovered from COVID-19. They had a history of hospitalization in the COVID-19 department of Peymaniyeh hospital in Jahrom city between March 2021 and May 2021. Participants were chosen via convenience sampling and continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Data was collected through semi-structured, interviews with 19 individuals (11 men and 8 women) who had recovered from COVID-19 after being discharged from the hospital. The study's accuracy was confirmed using the Guba and Lincoln method.
Findings: The participants' age range was 27 to 73 years, and 68.43% had a history of hospitalization in the ICU or isolation ward. From the data analysis, ten main themes were extracted, including "anxiety due to severity of symptoms," "role disruption," "thoughts related to death," "various disease complications," "denial of illness," " effects of quarantine," "social isolation," "reduced societal participation," "self-medication and dilemma of vaccine use," and "non-utilization of the vaccine".
Conclusion: This study underscores the multi-faceted impact of COVID-19 on patients' lives, including psychological, social, family, and occupational challenges. The identified topics can contribute to the development of counseling and support services to help individuals cope with these challenges and improve the overall quality of life of COVID-19 patients and their families.

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 41, Issue 719
3rd Week, July
July and August 2023
Pages 354-363

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History

  • Receive Date: 19 September 2022
  • Revise Date: 24 July 2023
  • Accept Date: 01 July 2023

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