TY - JOUR
T1 - When immunosuppression and COVID-19 intersect
T2 - An exploratory qualitative study of young lung transplant recipient perceptions of daily life during a pandemic
AU - Hatzikiriakidis, Kostas
AU - West, Simone
AU - Ayton, Darshini
AU - Morris, Heather
AU - Martin, Rani S.
AU - Paraskeva, Miranda
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was supported by a grant from , and a small projects grant from the Alfred Hospital 65km for Cystic Fibrosis
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Authors. Pediatric Transplantation published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
PY - 2022/8
Y1 - 2022/8
N2 - Background: The COVID-19 pandemic poses an increased risk of infection, severe illness, hospitalization and mortality for young people who are immunosuppressed, including lung transplant (LTx) recipients. The aim of this study was to explore the intersection between immunosuppression and COVID-19, through the impacts of the pandemic upon the daily lives of young LTx recipients residing in the Australian state of Victoria. Methods: An exploratory qualitative research study was undertaken via consumer engagement. A purposive sample of 11 LTx recipients, residing in Victoria, was recruited during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain insights into their daily life and healthcare experiences, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were interpreted using thematic analysis. Results: Four major themes were identified: (1) occupational deprivation due to the intersection of COVID-19 and lung transplant; (2) resilience and acceptance of restrictions; (3) infection control and vigilance about risk; and (4) care experiences of telehealth. Conclusions: Occupational deprivation emerged as a common theme, specifically in the context of loss of access to meaningful everyday activities of developmental significance. However, participants also commonly reflected upon their ability to flexibly adjust to changing socially regulated community and healthcare environments. A high degree of acceptance and compliance with public health orders was self-reported, may be indicative of this cohort's long-term experience of chronic illness and their understanding of the importance of minimizing infection risks. Youth-informed healthcare strategies were identified as keystone to engaging them in institutional change and program adaptation during a pandemic.
AB - Background: The COVID-19 pandemic poses an increased risk of infection, severe illness, hospitalization and mortality for young people who are immunosuppressed, including lung transplant (LTx) recipients. The aim of this study was to explore the intersection between immunosuppression and COVID-19, through the impacts of the pandemic upon the daily lives of young LTx recipients residing in the Australian state of Victoria. Methods: An exploratory qualitative research study was undertaken via consumer engagement. A purposive sample of 11 LTx recipients, residing in Victoria, was recruited during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain insights into their daily life and healthcare experiences, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were interpreted using thematic analysis. Results: Four major themes were identified: (1) occupational deprivation due to the intersection of COVID-19 and lung transplant; (2) resilience and acceptance of restrictions; (3) infection control and vigilance about risk; and (4) care experiences of telehealth. Conclusions: Occupational deprivation emerged as a common theme, specifically in the context of loss of access to meaningful everyday activities of developmental significance. However, participants also commonly reflected upon their ability to flexibly adjust to changing socially regulated community and healthcare environments. A high degree of acceptance and compliance with public health orders was self-reported, may be indicative of this cohort's long-term experience of chronic illness and their understanding of the importance of minimizing infection risks. Youth-informed healthcare strategies were identified as keystone to engaging them in institutional change and program adaptation during a pandemic.
KW - adolescent
KW - COVID-19
KW - immunosuppression
KW - lung transplantation
KW - qualitative research
KW - young people
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85128238663&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/petr.14281
DO - 10.1111/petr.14281
M3 - Article
C2 - 35427443
AN - SCOPUS:85128238663
SN - 1397-3142
VL - 26
JO - Pediatric Transplantation
JF - Pediatric Transplantation
IS - 5
M1 - e14281
ER -