Experience of patients hospitalized with COVID-19: A qualitative study of a pandemic disease in Iran

Abstract

Background: The spread of COVID-19 as an infectious disease brings about many newly arrived challenges, which call for further research on the scope of its effect on life due to the special conditions of this disease. The present study is, therefore, an attempt to understand the lived experience of inpatients hospitalized with COVID-19. Method: In this phenomenological study, among patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized in COVID-19 referral hospitals, 17 people were selected by random sampling method. Data were gathered by interviews and analysed using MAXQDA10 software. Findings: Analysis revealed 4 main themes and 16 subthemes. Main themes included the (1) denial of the disease, (2) negative emotions upon arrival, (3) perception of social and psychological supports and (4) post-discharge concerns and problems. Conclusion: Patients with COVID-19 experience a different world of stresses, concerns and feelings in the course of their disease. Gaining a deeper insight into patients’ experiences with this disease can help handle this disease more effectively and provide better post-corona nursing and psychological care and services.