Experience of patients with COVID-19 in hospital isolation in Taiwan

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted everyone's lives, challenging us in ways that can be frustrating, daunting, and intensely emotive. This qualitative study explored the isolation experiences of patients with COVID-19 in a hospital in northern Taiwan. We collected data from nine patients in June–July 2020, conducting semi-structured, virtual face-to-face, in-depth interviews to gather input on two topics: (1) the psychological effect of hospital isolation on patients, including the psychological burden, stress response, support, disease stigma, and fear of returning to society; and (2) the patients' cognition and behaviors, which included tracking epidemic information, monitoring disease progression, soliciting suggestions about hospital isolation, and gauging comprehension after recovery. The results confirmed that hospital isolation significantly impacts patients physically, psychologically, spiritually, and socially. Thus, the isolated patients faced the dual challenges of fighting, adapting to, and recovering from the disease itself and struggling in isolation to maintain positive beliefs, independently assess their condition, and gain strength from the knowledge of continuing social support.