An exploration of the patient experience of rehabilitation post COVID-19 infection during the first wave: A qualitative study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Murphy, Rachel^{a; 1} | Crowe, Aoife^{a; 1} | Gardner, Sophie^a | O’ Hara, Grainne^a | O’Shea, Orlagh^{b; *}

Affiliations: [a] Physiotherapy Department, Clontarf Hospital, Dublin, Ireland | [b] School of Physiotherapy, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Orlagh O’Shea, School of Physiotherapy, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland. E-mail: [email protected].

Note: [1] Contribution: Sophie Finlay, Physiotherapy Department, Clontarf Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES:to explore the patient experience of rehabilitation following a COVID-19 infection during the first wave of the pandemic. METHODS:All inpatients admitted for rehabilitation following COVID-19 infection or those who experienced COVID-19 infection while inpatients between March-August 2020 were screened for eligibility. Those meeting the eligibility criteria were invited to participate in a semi- structured interview, which were undertaken 3–6 months post discharge. Interviews were conducted by telephone, were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interviews were analysed using Braun and Clarkes thematic analysis. RESULTS:A total of 23 participants participated in the study. Mean age of patients was 68.8(11.8) years, and 12 patients had a critical care admission prior to their admission for rehabilitation. Four key themes were identified from the qualitative data: (i) Acute period of symptoms after COVID-19 diagnosis, (ii) Post-acute inpatient rehabilitation experience, (iii) Transitioning home after hospitalisation with COVID-19 infection and (iv) Long Covid syndrome. Further subthemes were identified within these themes. CONCLUSION:The lived experience of COVID-19 from the acute stages, through rehabilitation and transitioning home and into society varied hugely between individuals at all stages, which should be reflected in our management of this patients. Some participants expressed feeling lonely and stigmatised during their rehabilitation, which is avoidable and should be considered in future pandemics and healthcare delivery. The role of physiotherapists during rehabilitation grew from providing physical rehabilitation to being a central part of the patients social support network. This research provides important learnings for healthcare delivery and training of healthcare providers.

Keywords: COVID-19, rehabilitation, patient experience, qualitative, physiotherapy

DOI: 10.3233/PPR-230843

Journal: Physiotherapy Practice and Research, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-8, 2024