J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs.  2022 May;29(2):211-226. 10.7739/jkafn.2022.29.2.211.

Symptom Management of Individuals with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: A Multiple-Case Study

• Baek G
• Cha C

• KMID: 2530209
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7739/jkafn.2022.29.2.211

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to understand the symptom management experiences of patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome and to identify patterns therein.
Methods
Yin's multiple-case study design was utilized. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants who experienced post-COVID-19 syndrome symptoms. One-on-one interviews and surveys were conducted with six participants between October 22, 2021 and November 28, 2021. Data analysis, which included content analysis for in-depth interview data and survey data, followed the process suggested by Yin.
Results
Common themes identified between the cases were experiencing deterioration of health compared to the before getting COVID-19, utilizing various methods to relieve physical symptoms, coping passively with psychological symptom management, and difficultly in managing symptoms due to the lack of a post-COVID-19 syndrome management system. Differences between cases included various degrees of utilizing healthcare system for symptom, attitude toward accepting symptoms, and taking the lead in managing symptoms according to returning to work. Three patterns of symptom management of individuals with post-COVID-19 syndrome were identified: self-management, treatment focus, lethargy.
Conclusion
This study highlights the need for a nursing environment in which individuals experiencing post-COVID-19 syndrome can lead and take responsibility for health care, and it is suggested that future studies should develop high-quality nursing intervention programs for post-COVID-19 syndrome.

Keyword

Case study; Disease management; Long COVID; Signs and symptoms; 사례연구, 관리, 롱코비드, 증상