Experiences of patients who retest positive for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant after discharge: a qualitative study

Abstract

Introduction: In this study, we analyzed the psychological aspects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who were discharged from the hospitals in Shanghai, China, and later had positive nucleic acid retest results for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant infection (re-positive COVID-19). The purpose was to gain clarity on the patients’ needs and to provide evidence for the medical staff to deliver scientific and targeted health care to the patients.

Methodology: We screened patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infection by nucleic acid testing after having previously recovered from a COVID-19 infection and being discharged from Shanghai shelter hospitals or COVID-19-designated hospitals from April 3, 2022, to May 10, 2022. Purposive sampling and snowball sampling methods were applied. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were performed online to collect the data, and the transcripts of the interviews were analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step analytical method.

Results: Fifteen patients were interviewed to reach saturation in this study. Four themes were generated, including negative emotions, positive emotions and self-growth, apparent effects on family life, and apparent effects on the social level. In addition, a lack of knowledge regarding re-positive COVID-19 was found.

Conclusions: This study analyzed the psychological experiences of re-positive COVID-19 patients. Lack of knowledge of patients and the public about re-positive COVID-19 and irregular epidemic prevention measures in some communities were the leading causes of psychological stress in the patients. These findings can be used to optimize the management of patients in this setting.