‘I was there because I needed to be there’: A qualitative study of the experience of older adults hospitalised with COVID-19 in Australia

Abstract

Objectives

To explore the experiences of older adult patients hospitalised with COVID-19 infection by identifying any issues they encountered, how they were able or unable to adapt, as well as their opinion of such issues.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted by inviting a purposive sample of older adults from a metropolitan tertiary hospital in Sydney, Australia, to undertake semi-structured telephone interviews. Data was analysed using a thematic approach and adhered to the COREQ guidelines.

Results

A total of 16 participants were interviewed. Three predominant themes were identified from their described experiences. The majority accepted that hospitalisation was necessary for their recovery. The use of single isolation rooms affected their psychological state; however, this could have impacted them either positively or negatively. The quality of nursing care received elicited emotions of self-worth and participants also reported a variety of experiences ranging from positive to negative.

Conclusions

This study identified common themes of situational acceptance and the psychological impacts of both isolation and nursing care quality as important towards the overall experience amongst older adults who had been hospitalised with COVID-19. Opportunities to improve the patient experience were also identified, and practical next steps such as tailoring the type and delivery of care to individual patient needs and preferences may assist in this.