Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic: Experiences and self-management approaches adopted by people with interstitial lung disease.
Chron Respir Dis
; 21: 14799731231226236, 2024.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38193428
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
People with interstitial lung disease (ILD) were deemed more vulnerable to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and isolated as a means of reducing risk of infection. This study examined the impact of the pandemic on daily life, psychological wellbeing and access to healthcare and identified approaches undertaken to remain safe.METHODS:
Four specialist clinics in tertiary centres in Australia (Victoria two sites; New South Wales one site; Western Australia one site) recruited patients with ILD during an 8-week period from March 2021. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with transcripts analysed using principles of grounded theory.RESULTS:
Ninety participants were interviewed between April and December 2021. Participants were predominantly female, former smokers with an average age of 66 years. IPF and connective tissue-ILD being the most common subtypes. Five main themes were identified vulnerability reduced social interaction and isolation, access to healthcare services and support, staying active, emotional and psychological impact. Self-management strategies included staying active both physically and mentally.DISCUSSION:
Self-management was key to managing the impact of the pandemic. In combination with advances in technology, implementation of strategies for monitoring wellbeing and support for self-management provides an opportunity to leverage the lessons learnt to ensure a more individualised model of care for people with ILD.Key words
Full text:
1
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Lung Diseases, Interstitial
/
Self-Management
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Qualitative_research
Limits:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Year:
2024
Type:
Article