Experiences, Emotions, and Health Consequences among COVID-19 Survivors after Intensive Care Unit Hospitalization

Ilenia Piras, Maria Francesca Piazza, Cristina Piccolo, Antonio Azara, Andrea Piana, Gabriele Finco and Maura Galletta
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Ilenia Piras: Department of Biomedical Sciences, PhD School in Biomedical Sciences (Public Health), University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Maria Francesca Piazza: Liguria Health Authority (A.Li.Sa.), 16121 Genoa, Italy
Cristina Piccolo: Intensive Care Unit SS. Trinità Hospital, ASL Cagliari, 09121 Cagliari, Italy
Antonio Azara: Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Andrea Piana: Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Gabriele Finco: Intensive Care Unit Policlinico Universitario, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
Maura Galletta: Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 10, 1-16

Abstract: Literature suggested that COVID-19 patients experienced hospitalization as a physically and psychologically stressful event, with the risk to develop post-traumatic stress symptoms. The study aimed to understand psychological experiences of COVID-19 survivors with severe complications during and after ICU hospitalization, and any relevant health consequences. From October 2020 to January 2021, a qualitative study was conducted in Italy via semi-structured interviews by phone or video call addressed to COVID-19 survivors, randomly enrolled among people who released their stories publicly on newspapers, television, or social media. Fifteen individuals (three women and twelve men with average age of 56.4 years) were interviewed. Four main themes emerged: (i) emotion of fear; (ii) isolation and loneliness; (iii) unawareness about the gravity of the situation as a protective factor; (iv) “Long COVID” as consequences of the disease on physical and psychological health. During hospitalization, 66.7% of participants had mild or moderate values of anxiety and depression. After discharge, 86.7% moved to normal values. The results suggest that long-COVID is an important problem to manage to improve patients’ quality of life. It is essential to guarantee a holistic take in charge starting before the discharge and continuing care after discharge in the community where they live.

Keywords: COVID-19; emotions; psychological experience; health consequences; long COVID; hospitalization; intensive care unit (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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