Psychosocial Aspects of the Lived Experience of Long COVID: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Qualitative Studies

IF 3 3区医学 Q2 HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES

Health Expectations Pub Date : 2024-10-24 DOI:10.1111/hex.70071

Judith Eberhardt, Benjamin Gibson, Robert M. Portman, Nikki Carthy, Sam Rowlands, Rachel Batchelor, Laura Kane, Stephanie Kılınç

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Despite increasing recognition of long COVID, the psychosocial impacts of the lived experience on individuals remain underexplored. This systematic review sought to fill this gap by identifying key themes that describe the psychosocial dimensions of long COVID.

Objective

The aim of this study is to identify key themes illustrating the psychosocial aspects of individuals' lived experience of long COVID.

Search Strategy

Searches were conducted in multiple databases and grey literature sources for qualitative studies published between November 2019 and June 2024.

Inclusion Criteria

Eligible studies involved adult participants self-reporting long COVID. The studies needed to provide qualitative data that could be synthesised thematically.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Data extraction and thematic synthesis were conducted by at least two independent reviewers at each stage. Quality appraisal was performed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool.

Results

The review included 34 studies. Thematic synthesis yielded five themes: ‘Debilitation’, ‘Uncertainty’, ‘Sources of Support’, ‘Meaning Making: Adjusting to a New Normal’ and ‘Experiences with Healthcare Services’. Individuals with long COVID reported experiencing physical, economic, and social challenges. Uncertainty and scepticism from others caused anxiety. Support from healthcare services, friends and online groups played an important role. Acceptance and gratitude were found to be meaningful in adjusting to the new normal. Experiences with healthcare services varied.

Discussion and Conclusions

This review provides valuable insights into the psychosocial impact of long COVID, highlighting the profound changes and challenges that individuals face. Healthcare services should adopt a holistic approach to integrate psychosocial support within their management strategies, to improve overall patient outcomes.

Abstract Image

查看原文本刊更多论文

长期 COVID 生活体验的社会心理方面：定性研究的系统回顾和主题综合。

背景：尽管人们对长期慢性阻塞性肺气肿的认识不断提高，但这种生活经历对个人心理社会影响的研究仍然不足。本系统综述试图通过确定描述长期 COVID 社会心理层面的关键主题来填补这一空白：本研究旨在确定说明长期 COVID 患者社会心理方面生活经历的关键主题：在多个数据库和灰色文献来源中检索2019年11月至2024年6月期间发表的定性研究：符合条件的研究涉及自我报告长期COVID的成年参与者。研究需要提供可进行主题综合的定性数据：数据提取和专题综合在每个阶段至少由两名独立审稿人进行。采用批判性评估技能计划工具进行质量评估：综述包括 34 项研究。专题综合产生了五个主题："衰弱"、"不确定性"、"支持来源"、"创造意义：适应新常态 "和 "医疗服务体验"。据报告，长期慢性阻塞性肺病患者经历了身体、经济和社会方面的挑战。来自他人的不确定性和怀疑引起了焦虑。医疗保健服务、朋友和在线团体的支持发挥了重要作用。在适应新常态的过程中，接受和感激被认为是有意义的。讨论和结论：本综述对长期慢性阻塞性肺病的社会心理影响提供了宝贵的见解，强调了个人所面临的深刻变化和挑战。医疗保健服务机构应采取综合方法，将社会心理支持纳入其管理策略中，以改善患者的整体治疗效果。

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来源期刊

Health Expectations 医学-公共卫生、环境卫生与职业卫生

CiteScore

5.20

自引率

9.40%

发文量

251

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： Health Expectations promotes critical thinking and informed debate about all aspects of patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in health and social care, health policy and health services research including: • Person-centred care and quality improvement • Patients'' participation in decisions about disease prevention and management • Public perceptions of health services • Citizen involvement in health care policy making and priority-setting • Methods for monitoring and evaluating participation • Empowerment and consumerism • Patients'' role in safety and quality • Patient and public role in health services research • Co-production (researchers working with patients and the public) of research, health care and policy Health Expectations is a quarterly, peer-reviewed journal publishing original research, review articles and critical commentaries. It includes papers which clarify concepts, develop theories, and critically analyse and evaluate specific policies and practices. The Journal provides an inter-disciplinary and international forum in which researchers (including PPIE researchers) from a range of backgrounds and expertise can present their work to other researchers, policy-makers, health care professionals, managers, patients and consumer advocates.