To assess the patient experience of self-isolation in a hospital or the home setting with virtual care (Virtual Hospital).  A semi-structured interview with each patient will take place and themes analysed through the Nvivo software.  Background patient demographics will also be collected.  Grounded theory based qualitative analysis of the extracted themes will occur.  These findings will be utilised to formulate future strategies that support patients within this model of care and mitigate unintended consequences of self-isolation

Self-isolation, implemented traditionally in healthcare settings, is a strategy that is often implemented for high-consequence infectious diseases to curb transmission and outbreaks. Virtual Wards are virtual models of healthcare and monitoring systems that provide acute care and support to patients in their own residence. The National Health Service (NHS) has successfully adopted the Virtual Ward to manage Monkeypox and COVID-19 patients in their own home. Locally, Brisbane’s Metro North Health has utilised this model of care since 2020 to manage COVID-19 patients. The patients’ health benefits from this model of care are yet to be quantified and should be studied. Self-isolating at home may have a significant benefit for patients’ mental health and physical well-being compared to isolating in a hospital.

This project is funded for 2023 and data collection will occur across the year. Analysis and outcomes will be reached in 2024.  This will be presented to key stakeholder groups in the RBWH hospital setting to influence patient care in the isolation setting and at national and international conferences to share this work.  It is expected to shape the future care of patients in the isolation setting whether it be at home or in the hospital setting.