Battling the unknown: Using composite vignettes to portray lived experiences of COVID-19 and long-COVID

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284710
• Publication Date: 2023-04-26T17:41:44Z
• Authors: Rachel L. Knight; Kelly A. Mackintosh; Joanne Hudson; James Shelley; Zoe L. Saynor; Melitta A. McNarry
• Keywords: Vignette; Thematic Analysis

Understanding the day-to-day lived experiences of individuals who have had or are still recovering from Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19), whilst a complex challenge, presents opportunity to listen and learn. Composite vignettes provide novel approach explore present descriptive portrayals most commonly derived recovery journeys. The thematic analysis 47 shared accounts (semi-structured interviews with adults aged ≥18 years; 40 females; 6–11 months post-COVID-19 infection) produced series four intricate character stories written through lens single individual. Each vignette gives voice captures different experience trajectory. From point initial symptom development onwards, depict how COVID-19 has affected everyday lives, focusing on secondary non-biological socio-psychological effects implications. highlight in participants’ own words: i) potential negative implications not addressing psychological COVID-19; ii) lack linearity; iii) ongoing ‘lottery’ access healthcare services; iv) highly variable, yet generally devastating, impacts that consequent long-COVID across multiple facets daily living.