Exploration of the lived experiences of COVID-19 ICU survivors
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Qualitative exploration of the lived experiences of adult COVID-19 survivors during and after admission to an Intensive Care Unit
IRAS ID
286867
Contact name
Stephen Brett
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research Governance and Integrity Team, Imperial College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
20SM6228, DOCUMAS ; researchregistry6290, Research Registry
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
In this small study, we will invite adults who were treated for severe COVID-19 in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to take part in an interview. We want to find out about their experiences of receiving care in an ICU during the first wave of the pandemic and their rehabilitation and recovery after hospital discharge. We will combine findings from up to 50 interviews to identify common themes. We will also interview up to 20 relatives/carers to characterise their experiences of supporting a loved one through severe COVID-19. This will help doctors, nurses and physiotherapists to improve the quality of existing ICU follow-up services and aid planning for future outbreaks.
Previous studies have shown that adults who experience prolonged ICU admissions are at risk of developing long-term physical and psychological disability. Patients lose their independence in intensive care and often report distressing hallucinations. Receiving care from staff wearing personal protective equipment may have intensified this further. Family and friends usually play an important role in rehabilitation during and after ICU admission, but this has been disrupted by visiting restrictions and social distancing. We are worried that social isolation, bereavement and financial insecurity may have hampered recovery and left patients with unidentified but treatable physical and mental health problems. The NHS has established a new COVID-19 'recovery service'; studies such as this will help to ensure that follow-up services actually meet the needs of patients and their relatives and carers.
Over a 3-6 month period, we will conduct short audio-recorded interviews with adults admitted to an ICU during the 'first wave' of the pandemic. We will invite patients who were admitted to ICU at one of three London hospitals - the Hammersmith Hospital, Charing Cross Hospital or St Mary's Hospital. Interviews will be conducted virtually and de-identified to protect confidentiality.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/NW/0477
Date of REC Opinion
27 Jan 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion