Care coproduction strategies based on the experience of patients hospitalized for COVID-19: a multicenter qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify care coproduction strategies based on patient experience throughout the hospitalization process triggered by COVID-19. METHOD: This was a qualitative, exploratory-descriptive study derived from a multicenter research project conducted in Brazilian university hospitals. Thirty-four patients who were discharged after hospitalization for COVID-19 participated in the study. Data were collected from May 2021 to January 2022. The data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-two codes were generated, giving rise to the thematic category "Care coproduction in the pandemic setting", composed of four subcategories: "Health education in care production"; "Care coproduction during hospitalization"; "Hospital discharge instructions and guidance following COVID-19"; and "Continuity of care during post-COVID-19 Recovery". CONCLUSION: The findings revealed emerging strategies for care coproduction, including promoting health education, considering the patient's experience and care journey during healthcare delivery, developing and implementing a shared discharge plan, and ensuring social support and access to the healthcare system throughout the health-disease-rehabilitation process.