JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The countries in Central and Eastern Europe have been among the most heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, which has been associated with death rates and excess mortality among the highest in the world. Among the long-term effects of COVID-19 is the post COVID-19 condition – a prolonged form of the disease characterized by a variety of physical and psychological symptoms, which can last for more than 2 years and is associated with the severity of acute COVID-19 as a main risk factor. A positive long-term COVID-19 outcome is post-traumatic growth, occurred in response to the highly challenging life circumstances and traumatic experiences during the pandemic. COVID-19 survivors’ personal, social and other resources play an important role in coping with acute disease and post-acute negative sequalae and contribute to the development of post-traumatic growth.

Objective:

The aim of the study is to qualitatively explore the experiences of severe or critical COVID-19 adult survivors throughout the acute and post-acute period in the region of Central and Eastern Europe in terms of: negative long-term post-COVID effects (physical and psychological symptoms); positive long-term post-COVID effects (post-traumatic growth); the role of survivors’ personal, social and other coping resources; the role of the local sociocultural context and local epidemic-related situations in the participating countries.

Methods:

In-depth semi-structured interviews with adult severe and critical COVID-19 survivors are conducted in the period post hospital discharge. Participants are enrolled based on self-reported severe or critical acute COVID-19 disease, defined in accordance with clinical classifications of COVID-19 severity as COVID-19 hospitalization or ICU treatment. The questionnaire follows the experiences of survivors across the trajectory of disease, from pre-infection COVID-19 attitudes to first symptoms, hospitalization, recovery, and post-discharge adjustment. Interviews are conducted in person, through videoconferencing or telephone, audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative data are analyzed through thematic analysis in two stages. In stage 1, analysis of each national dataset in the national language is done. In stage 2, the national analyses will be collated. Based on the cross-national analysis, conclusions about the Central and Eastern European region will be drawn.

Results:

As of January 2024, data collection is completed in Bulgaria (N=33), Slovakia (N=30), and Romania (N=30) and is ongoing in Croatia and Poland. Analyses of the national datasets are currently underway. Papers based on the national results have been submitted. Cross-national analyses have started in 2024.

Conclusions:

The study provides insight into COVID-19 survivors’ experiences in the under-researched region of Central and Eastern Europe, enabling better understanding of their needs for care and support and allowing for the development of socioculturally appropriate tailored approaches to providing support for coping with the post COVID-19 condition and associated difficulties and to implementing interventions to facilitate post-traumatic growth.