Exploring the Individual, Family and Social Experiences of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease related to immune system deficiencies, where symptom management and care are the primary treatments.MS often affects individuals at a young age, a critical period for working, marriage and fertility.Identifying effective factors for controlling this disease, especially during crises, is crucial.This study aims to explore the personal, family, and social experiences of MS patients during the COVID-19 pandemic living in Ardabil City, Iran. Materials and Methods:This qualitative study involved 24 semi-structured interviews with MS patients and healthcare professionals.The samples were collected by purposive sampling, and data collection continued until saturation.The trustworthiness and strength of the data were ensured and analyzed using the conventional content analysis approach.Results: Seven healthcare professionals and 17 patients with MS participated in this study.A total of 835 primary codes, 14 subthemes and 4 themes were identified.The main themes were weakening resilience during the epidemic, amplification of disease burden, disruption of social care service networks and positive experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.The main theme in theme extraction was inadequate social care. Conclusion:Understanding the experiences of MS patients during the COVID-19 pandemic provides valuable insights for families, caregivers, social planners and public health policymakers.This knowledge is essential for planning effective individual, family, and social interventions to care for MS patients.