Maria Leopolda Moratalla-Cebrian, Irene Marcilla-Toribio, Carlos Berlanga-Macias, Ana Perez-Moreno, Maria Garcia-Martinez, Maria Martinez-Andres
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective: This study investigates the perceptions of Long COVID patients in Spain regarding the healthcare they receive to identify demands and areas for improvement.
Methods: Using a qualitative descriptive phenomenological approach, the study included 27 participants selected through non-probabilistic convenience sampling. Data were collected via online semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: The findings reveal three key themes: (i) health status and challenges in healthcare during the initial COVID-19 infection; (ii) perceptions about healthcare as Long COVID patients; and (iii) demand for and aspects of improving quality of healthcare. The participants, predominantly women (66.67%) with a median age of 51 years, experienced symptoms that they generally perceived as severe, although only 14.81% required hospitalization. The participants reported initial self-management of symptoms at home, which was influenced by familial responsibilities and hospital overcrowding, and the persistence of a wide range of Long COVID symptoms that significantly impacted their daily lives. Satisfaction with healthcare services varied, with frustrations over systemic inefficiencies and long waiting times.
Conclusions: The study highlights the need for timely access to medical care, comprehensive and empathetic healthcare services, and specialized Long COVID units. The results emphasize the importance of patient-centered approaches and multidisciplinary care to address the complex nature of Long COVID effectively. These findings provide crucial insights for improving healthcare protocols and systems to better support Long COVID patients. This study was prospectively registered with the Ethics Committee for Research on Medicines of the Albacete Integrated Health Care Management System (registry) on 22 February 2022 with registration number 2022/001.
期刊介绍:
Nursing Reports is an open access, peer-reviewed, online-only journal that aims to influence the art and science of nursing by making rigorously conducted research accessible and understood to the full spectrum of practicing nurses, academics, educators and interested members of the public. The journal represents an exhilarating opportunity to make a unique and significant contribution to nursing and the wider community by addressing topics, theories and issues that concern the whole field of Nursing Science, including research, practice, policy and education. The primary intent of the journal is to present scientifically sound and influential empirical and theoretical studies, critical reviews and open debates to the global community of nurses. Short reports, opinions and insight into the plight of nurses the world-over will provide a voice for those of all cultures, governments and perspectives. The emphasis of Nursing Reports will be on ensuring that the highest quality of evidence and contribution is made available to the greatest number of nurses. Nursing Reports aims to make original, evidence-based, peer-reviewed research available to the global community of nurses and to interested members of the public. In addition, reviews of the literature, open debates on professional issues and short reports from around the world are invited to contribute to our vibrant and dynamic journal. All published work will adhere to the most stringent ethical standards and journalistic principles of fairness, worth and credibility. Our journal publishes Editorials, Original Articles, Review articles, Critical Debates, Short Reports from Around the Globe and Letters to the Editor.