New life after near death: Surviving critical COVID-19 infection

Few studies have explored the illness perceptions, experiences or attitudes towards the future of survivors of critical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Through in-depth qualitative interviews, we aimed to enrich our understanding of participants' perspectives, with the hope of offering more holistic and appropriate care to future patients.

Participants who had survived critical COVID-19 illness (defined as a laboratory or clinical diagnosis of COVID-19, with hypoxia requiring high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) or mechanical ventilation) were invited to participate. After informed consent procedures, clinic-demographic details were documented and individual interviews conducted using a topic guide, and were audio-recorded, translated, transcribed and coded into NVivo software where themes were extracted.

Of 21 participants (13 female, 8 male), the mean age was 51.8 years (range 34 - 68), and mean duration of COVID symptoms was 21.7 days (range 17 - 37). Eighteen participants had been on HFNO, and 5 required mechanical ventilation. The major themes were: distressing experience; faith-based beliefs sustaining them; gratitude to healthcare workers (HCWs); better understanding of COVID and how dangerous it is; optimism for the future; and a resolve to implement lifestyle changes.

Qualitative interviews revealed our participants' experience of severe COVID-19 as a difficult and terrifying ordeal, mitigated by faith-based beliefs, and the presence and care of HCWs. These experiences were reported by the participants as life changing, and all were inspired to focus on future self-care, and invest in fulfilling relationships. These insights call for future interventions to improve patient-centred care, including follow-up debriefing sessions, and support for lifestyle changes.