Surviving COVID-19: patients’ experiences of care and path to recovery

Abstract

Purpose To examine patients’ experiences of receiving care on an ICU for COVID-19 and the subsequent rehabilitation process. Methods An explorative and inductive design was used. Participants were recruited from two university hospitals in Sweden. Patients admitted to the ICU due to COVID-19 from March 2020 to April 2021, who enrolled in the ICU follow-up, and understood and spoke Swedish were invited to participate. In total, 20 participants completed a semi-structured interview, of whom 18 were included in the thematic analysis. Results The analysis resulted in two themes: “An isolated world with silver linings” and “Recovery in the wake of the pandemic”. Findings show that patients cared for on an ICU for COVID-19 during the pandemic felt safe but experienced a sense of vulnerability. After discharge, physical rehabilitation was a slow process with frustrating day-to-day fluctuations. Mentally, participants felt isolated, fatigued, and emotionally sensitive. Patients reported that love and support from family and friends were crucial for the recovery process. Conclusions This study highlights the challenges of recovering from COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of continued support from health care, public services, family and friends. It provides important insights into patients’ experiences and can inform future healthcare strategies and policies.