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

Author

Listed:
  • Johanna Almgren

    (School of Health and Welfare, Halmstad University, P.O. Box 823, SE-301 18 Halmstad, Sweden)

  • Emma Löfström

    (Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hallands Hospital Halmstad, SE-301 85 Halmstad, Sweden
    Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, P.O. Box 117, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden)

  • Julia S Malmborg

    (School of Health and Welfare, Halmstad University, P.O. Box 823, SE-301 18 Halmstad, Sweden)

  • Jens Nygren

    (School of Health and Welfare, Halmstad University, P.O. Box 823, SE-301 18 Halmstad, Sweden)

  • Johan Undén

    (Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, P.O. Box 117, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
    Department of Operation and Intensive Care, Hallands Hospital Halmstad, SE-301 85 Halmstad, Sweden)

  • Ingrid Larsson

    (School of Health and Welfare, Halmstad University, P.O. Box 823, SE-301 18 Halmstad, Sweden
    Spenshult Research and Development Centre, SE-302 74 Halmstad, Sweden
    Section of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, P.O. Box 117, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Johanna Almgren & Emma Löfström & Julia S Malmborg & Jens Nygren & Johan Undén & Ingrid Larsson, 2022. "Patients’ Health Experiences of Post COVID-19 Condition—A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-12, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:13980-:d:954922
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wenxiu Sun & Wei-Ti Chen & Qing Zhang & Siyue Ma & Feifei Huang & Lin Zhang & Hongzhou Lu, 2021. "Post-Traumatic Growth Experiences among COVID-19 Confirmed Cases in China: A Qualitative Study," Clinical Nursing Research, , vol. 30(7), pages 1079-1087, September.
    2. Jeannet M. Delbressine & Felipe V. C. Machado & Yvonne M. J. Goërtz & Maarten Van Herck & Roy Meys & Sarah Houben-Wilke & Chris Burtin & Frits M. E. Franssen & Yvonne Spies & Herman Vijlbrief & Alex J, 2021. "The Impact of Post-COVID-19 Syndrome on Self-Reported Physical Activity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-11, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Marion Egger & Lena Vogelgesang & Judith Reitelbach & Jeannine Bergmann & Friedemann Müller & Klaus Jahn, 2023. "Severe Post-COVID-19 Condition after Mild Infection: Physical and Mental Health Eight Months Post Infection: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(1), pages 1-14, December.

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