Lived Experiences of Critically Ill Patients with Covid-19 After Discharge from Intensive Care Unit: A Phenomenological Study

Objectives: The present study aimed to explore lived experiences of critically ill patients with COVID-19 after discharge from intensive care units hospitals in Iran. Methods: was qualitative research a hermeneutic phenomenological approach. Participants were purposefully selected who discharged the unit (ICU) and transferred general ward. Data mostly collected through in-depth, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews and, some cases, telephone calls. analyzed using method Dickelman et al. (1985). Guba Lincoln's (1989) criteria used achieve data authenticity. Results: obtained 16 recovered history ICU admission. Twelve participants female four male mean age 35 years. main themes identified along their subthemes: perception death before dying (worry, helplessness, expecting different death), social stigma (social isolation stigma), nurse as symbol rebirth (a compassionate supportive role others), meaningful life change outlook on manifestation spirituality). Conclusion: results indicated that personal thoughts such thinking about treatments can lead threatening physical psychological problems patients. Nurses family members prevent many these by providing holistic support. Apart challenges posed disease, post-recovery changes patients' attitudes toward be considered positive point.