Analysis of the experiences of patients in the rehabilitation period related to the COVID-19 disease and assessment of the impact of this disease on the disability in convalescents

Objectives: The aim of the article is to present the experiences of patients who were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in 2020 and 2021-2022, and then underwent in-patient rehabilitation at the Specialist Hospital of the Ministry of Interior and Administration in Głuchołazy.Material and methods: The study included three groups of patients staying in 2020-2021 and 2022 on post-covid rehabilitation. People from group I contracted COVID-19 in 2020. People from group II fell ill in 2021. In groups I (127 people) and II (68), respectively, the research was conducted in the form of questionnaires. The results obtained from the questionnaires were enriched with the opinions of the third group of patients, collected at the end of 2021 by means of an unstructured interview using the method of free conversation. Results: The results are compatible with the state of research in which similar issues were addressed. There was no conflict between trusting the doctor and having to reject his recommendations (or even diagnosis). The methods of clinical rehabilitation offered to patients after COVID-19 were based on scientific grounds. An individual rehabilitation program implemented in the hospital environment corresponded to the characteristics of such therapy. Conclusions: The subjects experienced COVID-19 as a somatic and private experience. The incidence of COVID-19 was not associated with the possibility of losing a job. Social rights have been recognized as natural security for living conditions in the event of an illness. The respondents found the views disseminated by doctors in the media to be useful and credible. The general standard of reporting the epidemic by official state institutions was negatively assessed. All respondents positively assessed the rehabilitation program offered to them. The results may constitute the basis for a change in the way information on epidemic threats is presented by the official state media.