Volume 28, Issue 4 pp. 585-595

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Patients' perspectives of recovery after COVID-19 critical illness: An interview study

Suzanne Bench PhD, DipHE, RGN,

Corresponding Author

Suzanne Bench PhD, DipHE, RGN

Advanced Critical Care Practitioner, Registered Nurse Teacher, Professor of Critical Care Nursing

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0002-4499-2959

Director of Nursing and Professor of critical care nursing, London South Bank University, London, UK

Guys and St thomas NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

Correspondence

Suzanne Bench, PhD, MSc Advanced Practice (critical care), DipHE (Registered Nurse teacher), RGN, Professor of Critical Care Nursing, Division of Adult Nursing, Institute of Health and Social Care, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA, UK.

Email: [email protected]

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Helen Cherry RGN, QN,

Helen Cherry RGN, QN

Patient Representative

Patient representative

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Matthew Hodson MBE, QN, PhD, RN,

Matthew Hodson MBE, QN, PhD, RN

Deputy Director of Nursing and Therapies

North Central Division, Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK

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Alison James RN, PGCert, MSc,

Alison James RN, PGCert, MSc

Senior Lecturer

Director of Nursing and Professor of critical care nursing, London South Bank University, London, UK

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Nicola McGuinness MSc, BA (Hons), BSc (Hons),

Nicola McGuinness MSc, BA (Hons), BSc (Hons)

Social Research, Sociology & Social Anthropology, Midwifery Research Assistant

Institute of Health and Social Care, London South Bank University, London, UK

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Gaby Parker PhD,

Gaby Parker PhD

Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist- Professional Lead for Neuropsychology

@@gabyvparker

Central London Community Healthcare- Hertfordshire Division, Harpenden Memorial Hospital, Harpenden, UK

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Nicola Thomas PhD, RN,

Nicola Thomas PhD, RN

Professor of Kidney Care

Director of Nursing and Professor of critical care nursing, London South Bank University, London, UK

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Suzanne Bench PhD, DipHE, RGN,

Corresponding Author

Suzanne Bench PhD, DipHE, RGN

Advanced Critical Care Practitioner, Registered Nurse Teacher, Professor of Critical Care Nursing

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0002-4499-2959

Director of Nursing and Professor of critical care nursing, London South Bank University, London, UK

Guys and St thomas NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

Correspondence

Email: [email protected]

Search for more papers by this author

Helen Cherry RGN, QN,

Helen Cherry RGN, QN

Patient Representative

Patient representative

Search for more papers by this author

Matthew Hodson MBE, QN, PhD, RN,

Matthew Hodson MBE, QN, PhD, RN

Deputy Director of Nursing and Therapies

North Central Division, Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK

Search for more papers by this author

Alison James RN, PGCert, MSc,

Alison James RN, PGCert, MSc

Senior Lecturer

Director of Nursing and Professor of critical care nursing, London South Bank University, London, UK

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Nicola McGuinness MSc, BA (Hons), BSc (Hons),

Nicola McGuinness MSc, BA (Hons), BSc (Hons)

Social Research, Sociology & Social Anthropology, Midwifery Research Assistant

Institute of Health and Social Care, London South Bank University, London, UK

Search for more papers by this author

Gaby Parker PhD,

Gaby Parker PhD

Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist- Professional Lead for Neuropsychology

@@gabyvparker

Central London Community Healthcare- Hertfordshire Division, Harpenden Memorial Hospital, Harpenden, UK

Search for more papers by this author

Nicola Thomas PhD, RN,

Nicola Thomas PhD, RN

Professor of Kidney Care

Director of Nursing and Professor of critical care nursing, London South Bank University, London, UK

Search for more papers by this author

First published: 21 December 2022

https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.12867

Citations: 3

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Abstract

Background

Critical illness is a traumatic experience, often resulting in post-intensive care syndrome, affecting people's physical, psychological, emotional, and social well-being. The early recovery period is associated with increased risk, negatively impacting longer-term outcomes.

Aims

The aims of this study were to understand the recovery and rehabilitation needs of people who survive a COVID-19 critical illness.

Study design

An exploratory descriptive qualitative interview study with 20 survivors of COVID-19 critical illness from two community-based healthcare settings in London, England. Data collection took place September 2020–April 2021, at least 1 month after hospital discharge by telephone or virtual platform. Data were subjected to inductive thematic analysis and mapped deductively to the three core concepts of self-determination theory: autonomy, competence and relatedness.

Results

Three key themes emerged: traumatic experience, human connection and navigating a complex system. Participants described how societal restrictions, fear and communication problems caused by the pandemic added to their trauma and the challenge of recovery. The importance of positive human connections, timely information and support to navigate the system was emphasized.

Conclusions

Whilst findings to some extent mirror those of other qualitative pre-pandemic studies, our findings highlight how the uncertainty and instability caused by the pandemic add to the challenge of recovery affecting all core concepts of self-determination (autonomy, competence, relatedness).

Relevance to clinical practice

Understanding survivors' perspectives of rehabilitation needs following COVID-19 critical illness is vital to delivery of safe, high-quality care. To optimize chances of effective recovery, survivors desire a specialist, co-ordinated and personalized recovery pathway, which reflects humanized care. This should be considered when planning future service provisions.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None of the authors have any conflicts of interest to declare.

Supporting Information

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Citing Literature

Volume28, Issue4

Special Issue:Rehabilitation During and After Critical Care

July 2023

Pages 585-595

Filename	Description
nicc12867-sup-0001-SupinfoS1.docxWord 2007 document , 69 KB	Appendix S1. Supporting information.
nicc12867-sup-0002-SupinfoS2.docxWord 2007 document , 59.1 KB	Appendix S2. Supporting information.

Patients' perspectives of recovery after COVID-19 critical illness: An interview study

Abstract

Background

Aims

Study design

Results

Conclusions

Relevance to clinical practice

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Supporting Information

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

Information

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Patients' perspectives of recovery after COVID-19 critical illness: An interview study

Abstract

Background

Aims

Study design

Results

Conclusions

Relevance to clinical practice

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Supporting Information

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

Related

Information