Experiences and Expectations of Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: A Qualitative Study in Poland

Ludmila Marcinowicz, Ewa Fejfer-Wirbal, Ewa Taranta, Slawomir Chlabicz and Slawomir J. Terlikowski
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Ludmila Marcinowicz: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Maternity Care, Medical University of Bialystok, 15295 Bialystok, Poland
Ewa Fejfer-Wirbal: Department of Health Protection, State Vocational University in Suwalki, Noniewicza 10, 16400 Suwalki, Poland
Ewa Taranta: Non-Public Health Care Center “Fidos” Family Clinic, 15182 Bialystok, Poland
Slawomir Chlabicz: Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, 15054 Bialystok, Poland
Slawomir J. Terlikowski: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Maternity Care, Medical University of Bialystok, 15295 Bialystok, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 5, 1-11

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many new problems and challenges for medical personnel, patients and their families. The present study aimed to learn the difficulties and expectations of patients hospitalized for COVID-19. A descriptive qualitative research approach was adopted, and the study was carried out using semi-structured telephone interviews with 20 patients according to Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines. Two main themes were extracted from the experiences related by patients hospitalized for COVID-19: difficulties resulting from their poor health condition and difficulties resulting from hospital conditions and safety protocols. The patients’ expectations referred to professionalism and family members’ support. From the patient’s perspective, a sense of humor in the care provider is important, apart from professionalism and the effectiveness of treatment, because humor helps the patient endure difficult situations. The findings indicate that patients hospitalized for COVID-19 experienced both positive and negative emotions. Their negative experiences concerned organizational barriers and medical personnel shortages, especially of clinical nurses. Patients’ expectations are realistic and appropriate to the situation they are in. Learning the difficulties and expectations of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 may help care providers cope with this disease more effectively and ensure better care for patients, including nursing and psychological services.

Keywords: COVID-19; patients; qualitative research; Poland (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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