A phenomenological study to explore the lived experience of COVID-19 survivors-A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic, first reported in Wuhan, China, has significantly impacted global public health, research, and medical communities. Surviving COVID-19 is a new phenomenon, and existing literature lacks insight into patients' emotional responses.

AIM

This pilot study aimed to explore the lived experiences of COVID-19 survivors using a descriptive phenomenological approach.

METHODS

The study followed the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines. A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct in-depth interviews to extract the participants' diverse emotional and cognitive experiences, covering topics such as overall experiences, coping strategies, medical care, quarantine experience, social, spiritual, and work-related dimensions, and post-COVID-19 concerns.

ANALYSIS

The researcher transcribed audio recordings and analyzed them using Colaizzi's descriptive phenomenological analysis method.

RESULTS

The study involved two consenting adults with COVID-19, with a mean age of 39 ± 1 years. The participants' experiences were categorized into "immediate crisis," diagnosis, hospital services, transmission, life transition, physical symptoms, rehabilitation, relationship with healthcare personnel, social relationship, and treatment.

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 survivors faced a multitude of symptoms while enduring the illness and thereafter.