Perception of the Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Ischemic Stroke in the View of Health Professionals, Patients and Families

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1595625150111

• Palavras-chave: Stroke, Ischemic stroke, Pandemic, COVID-19

• Keywords: Stroke, Ischemic stroke, Pandemic, COVID-19

• Abstract:

  Stroke is a major cause of sequelae and mortality worldwide. The aim of the study was to investigate the perception of the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on stroke. The methodology used was observational, longitudinal and of a mixed approach, within the line of research within the Social Sciences and Epistemology in Health. Data was collected in two private hospitals in 2022. Patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke, their families, doctors and nurses took part in the study. A data collection form and interviews were used for each participant semi-structured. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS software, and qualitative data using IRAMUTEQ. Data was collected from a total of 19 patients, 19 family members, 19 doctors and 19 nurses. Among the results found, the average age of the patients was 72± 13 years and 52.6% were male, 57.9% were married and 68.5% had at least a high school education. As for the qualitative data, stress was considerably prevalent in interviewees' perceptions (patients, family members and doctors and nurses), contributing to the study patients' strokes, rather than the "COVID disease" itself.