Care needs and preferences from the perspective of COVID-19 patients: A qualitative study

The COVID-19 epidemic is one of the major health problems worldwide due to its inconceivable spreading power and potential damage. Given the increasing prevalence of the disease, the identification of care needs and preferences of patients could play an important role in providing effective training and caring programs. This study was conducted to explain the preferences and needs of care based on the experiences of patients with COVID-19.

This qualitative study with a content analysis approach was performed in 2 months at a referral general hospital and quarantine centers of COVID-19 in Tehran, the capital of Iran, in 2020. The participants consisted of 15 COVID-19 patients selected through purposive sampling. The data analysis was performed using the conventional content analysis method according to the procedure proposed by Graneheim and Lundman.

The results were classified into 5 main categories: (1) access to desirable care and comfort services; (2) access to education and information from credible sources; (3) access to specialized care; (4) support social needs; and (5)  need for deep emotional interactions.

According to our results, identifying priorities and care needs from the perspective of patients with COVID-19 can help improve knowledge, reduce unrealistic patient concerns, and improve emotional interactions between patients and health care providers.