Clinical condition, Resuscitation and Medical-Psychological Care of Severe COVID-19 patients (part 2)
Date
2022Author
Maoz, Zeev
Huet, Isabelle
Sudres, Jean-Luc
Bouchard, Jean-Pierre
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Respiratory rehabilitation is the penultimate step in the medical management of patients with severe
COPD-19. It is an essential step before patients’ returning home, and is usually carried out in specialised
Follow-up and Rehabilitation Clinics. When discharged from hospital, patients with post-severe COVID-19
usually progress in their medical condition. However, they may remain frail and have a constant fear of
possible deterioration leading to (re)hospitalisation and a return to baseline. Psychological support in this
phase can reduce patients’ anxiety and increase their motivation to carry out daily rehabilitation activities.
This support provides a stable and consistent basis for patients to focus on their progress, leaving the
difficulties behind. Being aware of the improvements in their physical condition allows them to maintain
their motivation to continue to be physically active. Psychological support during respiratory rehabilitation
aims at preparing patients to return to the normal life they had before the disease. It is usually based on
brief psychotherapies that focus on strengthening the patient’s abilities through behavioural changes and
through reducing risk behaviours. Only after this phase is it sometimes possible to deal with complex issues
and to cope with personality mechanisms and maladaptive behaviour patterns.