Wasilewski MB, Szigeti Z, Sheppard CL, Minezes J, Hitzig SL, Mayo AL, Robinson LR, Lung M, Simpson R. Patients, Caregivers, and Healthcare Providers' Experiences with COVID Care and Recovery across the Care Continuum: A Qualitative Study.
Int J Integr Care 2023;
23:27. [PMID:
37333775 PMCID:
PMC10275165 DOI:
10.5334/ijic.6952]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction
During the COVID-19 pandemic, discharge timelines were accelerated and patients were moved across the continuum of care, from acute to post-acute care, to relieve the strain in health system capacity. This study aimed to investigate the COVID-19 care pathway from the perspective of patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers to understand their experiences with care and recovery within and across care settings.
Methods
A qualitative descriptive study. Patients and their families from an inpatient COVID-19 unit and healthcare providers from an acute or rehabilitation COVID-19 unit were interviewed.
Results
A total of 27 participants were interviewed. Three major themes were identified: 1) The perceived quality and pace of COVID-19 care improved from acute care to inpatient rehabilitation; 2) Care transitions were especially distressing; and 3) Recovery from COVID-19 stagnated in the community.
Conclusion
Inpatient rehabilitation was viewed as higher quality due to the slower paced care. Care transitions were distressing for stakeholders and enhanced integration between acute and rehabilitation care were suggested to improve patient handover. A lack of rehabilitation access led to recovery stagnating for patients discharged to the community. Telerehab may improve the transition to home and ensure access to adequate rehabilitation and support in the community.
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