The effects of visitor restrictions on inpatients and family visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from a cross-sectional survey in China

Abstract

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals implemented visitor restrictions to curtail the spread of the virus. The study aims to understand the perspectives of hospitalized patients and their family visitors on visitation restrictions and the factors influencing their willingness to adhere to these restrictions. Methods: This cross-sectional survey invited 1,200 participants, with 1,032 valid responses received, including 460 hospitalized patients and 572 family visitors. Results: The survey indicated that 88.91% of hospitalized patients and 93.00% of family visitors complied and adhered to the visitor restrictions. The predominant mode of communication was via phone (77.62%), with emotional support (56.40%) recognized as the primary purpose of visitation. Visitor restrictions significantly affected hospitalized patients, with 51.65% reporting feelings of loneliness and 42.44% reporting anxiety. After adjusting for age, gender, and other factors, hospitalized patients‘ willingness to follow visitation restrictions was linked to their awareness of the restrictions (odds ratio [OR] = 0.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.09–0.44) and their desire to protect (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.14–0.76). Family members’ willingness to follow the restrictions was related to their awareness of them (OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.12–0.95) and how well they communicated (OR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.09–0.58). Conclusions: Participants generally followed visitation restrictions, but these measures negatively impacted the psychological and social well-being of patients and their families, leading to increased feelings of loneliness and anxiety. Healthcare providers, hospital administrators, and policymakers should acknowledge the complex effects of these restrictions and focus on improving patient experiences in the future.