Support during COVID-19 home isolation – clients’ experiences from Finland and Sweden
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Natural and Health Sciences, Åbo Akademi University, Vaasa, Finland
- 2Novia University of Applied Sciences, Vaasa, Finland
- 3Department of Caring and Ethics, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
- 4Department of Nursing and Department of Diagnostics and Intervention, Orthopedics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- 5Department of Nursing, Department of Computing Science, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
Abstract
Background: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many healthcare clients were required to remain isolated at home after a positive COVID-19 test. Finland and Sweden used different strategies for supporting clients in home isolation.
Methods: This qualitative study explored clients’ experiences of the support provided during home isolation. The participants (N = 27) were clients who had been in home isolation during COVID-19 infection in Finland (n = 11) and Sweden (n = 16). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants, and the material was analysed by thematic analysis.
Results: The findings indicate that participants in this study who experienced home isolation described different experiences in Finland and Sweden. In Finland, participants described receiving daily calls from healthcare professionals, whereas in Sweden participants reported being directed to a national web platform where they could access health information or advice if needed. While participants in Finland described extensive contact, they paradoxically experienced more uncertainty. Conversely, participants in Sweden who were directed to a web platform, described navigating their home isolation with greater assurance and empowerment. The findings indicate that it is essential to combine both social and health-related support to effectively endure isolation.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that participants in this study who endured home isolation needed both health-related and social support. Participants appeared to benefit more from a well-established web platform than from daily contacts with healthcare professionals within a new and temporary service structure. Future research should explore the effectiveness of digital support interventions for clients in home isolation during crises, with a focus on client empowerment and satisfaction.
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BibTeX
@article{mattjus2026support,
title = {{Support during COVID-19 home isolation – clients’ experiences from Finland and Sweden}},
author = {Camilla Mattjus and Linda Estman and Birgitta Olofsson and Lisbeth Fagerström and Madeleine Blusi},
journal = {BMC Health Services Research},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12913-026-15231-5},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-026-15231-5},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Support during COVID-19 home isolation – clients’ experiences from Finland and Sweden
AU - Camilla Mattjus
AU - Linda Estman
AU - Birgitta Olofsson
AU - Lisbeth Fagerström
AU - Madeleine Blusi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/05
JO - BMC Health Services Research
DO - 10.1186/s12913-026-15231-5
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-026-15231-5
AB - Background: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many healthcare clients were required to remain isolated at home after a positive COVID-19 test. Finland and Sweden used different strategies for supporting clients in home isolation. Methods: This qualitative study explored clients’ experiences of the support provided during home isolation. The participants (N = 27) were clients who had been in home isolation during COVID-19 infection in Finland (n = 11) and Sweden (n = 16). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants, and the material was analysed by thematic analysis. Results: The findings indicate that participants in this study who experienced home isolation described different experiences in Finland and Sweden. In Finland, participants described receiving daily calls from healthcare professionals, whereas in Sweden participants reported being directed to a national web platform where they could access health information or advice if needed. While participants in Finland described extensive contact, they paradoxically experienced more uncertainty. Conversely, participants in Sweden who were directed to a web platform, described navigating their home isolation with greater assurance and empowerment. The findings indicate that it is essential to combine both social and health-related support to effectively endure isolation. Conclusion: The findings suggest that participants in this study who endured home isolation needed both health-related and social support. Participants appeared to benefit more from a well-established web platform than from daily contacts with healthcare professionals within a new and temporary service structure. Future research should explore the effectiveness of digital support interventions for clients in home isolation during crises, with a focus on client empowerment and satisfaction.
SN - 1472-6963
ER -