1. Patients’ Experiences of 'Long COVID' in the Community and Recommendations for Improving Services: A Quality Improvement Survey
- Author
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Mohammad S Razai, Teniola M Saraki, Pippa Oakeshott, Katherine Fitch, Roaa Al-bedaery, Hannah Okechukwu, and Laxmi Anand
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Quality management ,long covid ,Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ,Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ,Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics ,R858-859.7 ,coronavirus ,postacute COVID-19 syndrome ,medicine.disease_cause ,Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,medicine ,Humans ,Intensive care medicine ,Coronavirus ,Original Research ,Community and Home Care ,community health ,business.industry ,SARS-CoV-2 ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,COVID-19 ,Quality Improvement ,Multisystem disease ,Community health ,Public aspects of medicine ,RA1-1270 ,Patient report ,business - Abstract
Introduction: “Long COVID” is a multisystem disease that lasts for 4 or more weeks following initial symptoms of COVID-19. In the UK, at least 10% of patient report symptoms at 12 weeks following a positive COVID-19 test. The aims of this quality improvement survey were to explore patients’ acute and post-acute “long” COVID-19 symptoms, their experiences of community services and their recommendations for improving these services. Methods: Seventy patients diagnosed with COVID were randomly selected from 2 large socially and ethnically diverse primary care practices. Of those contactable by telephone, 85% (41/48) agreed to participate in the quality improvement survey. They were interviewed by telephone using a semi-structured questionnaire about community services for COVID-19 patients. Interviews lasted 10 to 15 minutes. Results: Forty-nine percent of patients reported at least 1 post-acute COVID-19 symptom. The most common were severe fatigue (45%), breathlessness (30%), neurocognitive difficulties (such as poor memory), poor concentration and “brain fog” (30%), headaches (20%), and joint pain (20%). Many patients felt isolated and fearful, with scant information about community resources and little safety netting advice. Patients also expected more from primary care with over half (56%) recommending regular phone calls and follow up from healthcare staff as the most important approach in their recovery. Conclusions: In line with patients’ requests for more support, the practices now routinely refer patients with long COVID to an on-site social prescriber who explores how they are getting on, refers them to the GP or practice nurse when required, and sign posts them to support services in the community.
- Published
- 2021