Experiences of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 – A single centre qualitative study

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 pandemic caused a huge impact on the healthcare system worldwide. With a spectrum of outcome ranging from mild symptoms to mortality, the experiences of patients admitted in isolation wards have not been documented. OBJECTIVE: To explore the experience of COVID-19 patients during hospitalization during the early phase of pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative study using in-depth interviews was conducted among 30 COVID positive patients admitted in COVID wards of a private medical college in Coimbatore, South India between May and June 2020. Qualitative data analysis was done using the seven steps of Colaizzi’s descriptive phenomenological method. RESULTS: The experiences of COVID-19 patients during their hospitalization were categorized into three themes. Firstly, their initial reaction to being diagnosed positive for COVID-19. Secondly, experience during hospitalization with regards to their mental health, treatment providers, caregivers (family and relatives) and other COVID patients admitted in the same ward. Lastly, perceived change in their quality of life after discharge. CONCLUSION: The study highlights that the psychological experiences of COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital were heterogeneous. Therefore, primary care physicians should provide individualized psychological interventions based on the needs. Since many expressed fear on diagnosis and stigma of the disease, hence policy makers and health care providers should plan intervention for control and treatment without causing stigma to patients and their families.