METHODS: Between January and May 2022, 25 participants with long COVID were interviewed about their health situation, their perception of health care in Germany, and their social and professional context. The interviews, which were mainly conducted online, were analyzed for content, and the results were assessed using lifeworld-theoretical approaches.
RESULTS: The participants reported a variety of health symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and cognitive impairments. The majority of respondents had a pessimistic attitude toward a timely recovery. Most participants perceived the medical support for long COVID as inadequate. Long waiting times for specialist appointments and the lack of acceptance of the health impairment by some doctors lead to an increase in existing uncertainties. Long COVID also had a major impact on respondents\' social life. Many participants referred to a burdensome decline in the number of meetings with family and friends. Many respondents avoided physical contact with friends and family members due to a high level of fear of infection. Some participants explained that they separated themselves from people in their environment because they did not take their precarious situation seriously. However, an important resource was the close circle of family and friends from whom the majority of the interviewees received support.
CONCLUSIONS: While other research studies particularly emphasize the comprehensive psychological and emotional consequences of long COVID, such as identity conflicts, existential angst, or depression, the present study shows that a lack of understanding from medical professionals as well as heavily delayed treatment leave the interviewees in a state of emotional void.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings show a considerable need for support among people with health impairments after a COVID-19 infection. Empathic and empirically based counseling and support by general practitioners as well as improvement of access to rehabilitative services can provide substantial support for people with long COVID.
方法:在2022年1月至5月期间,对25名患有长期COVID的参与者进行了关于他们健康状况的采访,他们对德国医疗保健的看法,以及他们的社会和职业背景。采访,主要在网上进行,进行了内容分析,并使用生命世界理论方法评估结果。
结果:参与者报告了各种健康症状,例如疲劳,呼吸急促,和认知障碍。大多数受访者对及时复苏持悲观态度。大多数参与者认为长期COVID的医疗支持不足。专家预约的等待时间很长,以及一些医生对健康损害的接受度不足,导致现有不确定性增加。LongCOVID也对受访者的社交生活产生了重大影响。许多与会者提到与家人和朋友会面的次数减少了。由于对感染的高度恐惧,许多受访者避免与朋友和家人进行身体接触。一些与会者解释说,他们将自己与环境中的人分开,因为他们没有认真对待自己的不稳定状况。然而,一个重要的资源是家人和朋友的紧密圈子,大多数受访者都得到了支持。
结论:虽然其他研究特别强调长期COVID的综合心理和情绪后果,比如身份冲突,存在的焦虑,或抑郁症,本研究表明,缺乏医疗专业人员的理解以及严重延误的治疗使受访者处于情绪空白状态。
结论:研究结果表明,在感染COVID-19后,健康受损的人相当需要支持。全科医生的移情和基于经验的咨询和支持,以及改善获得康复服务的机会,可以为患有长期COVID的人提供实质性支持。