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Background: In Germany, an estimated number of 70,000 people diagnosed with long COVID or post-COVID syndrome (PCS) had received inpatient medical rehabilitation by the end of 2022. Due to the heterogeneity of the clinical picture, the variability of interventions and inconsistent endpoints, previous studies on the effectiveness of rehabilitation are of limited value. It therefore remains unclear whether and to what extent rehabilitation measures established for, e.g., pulmonary, cardiovascular, or neurological diseases are suitable for patients with PCS., Objectives: To identify the experiences and perspectives of those affected by PCS, in relation to inpatient rehabilitation and to describe patients' values and wishes with respect to evidence-based medicine., Methods: In January/February 2023, the German initiative "Long COVID Deutschland" conducted a retrospective online survey (39 closed items, two open answer fields) among adult PCS sufferers on their experiences with inpatient rehabilitation. Recruitment was carried out via social media and websites of patient initiatives. The open answers were analyzed using a structuring and summarizing qualitative content analysis according to Mayring, supplemented by descriptive representations of the distribution of standardized information., Results: Of 1,191 participants in the survey, 733 used open response formats to additionally explain their experiences and the effects of individual measures on their general condition. 366 (50%) reported that their state of health deteriorated, mainly because of strength or endurance training and too extensive treatment plans. The presence of a post-exertional malaise (PEM) or its insufficient consideration during rehabilitation was described as the main barrier. Recognition and acceptance of individual performance limits, flexible and coordinated individual treatment plans tailored to the patient's limitations, and support in coping with the disease were described as supportive factors. From the participants' perspective, learning strategies to avoid deterioration in their state of health due to overexertion, the so-called pacing, should be the core treatment goal for patients affected by PEM., Discussion: The results are not statistically representative but ensure systematic insights into the subjective perspectives of those affected, the consideration of which represents one of the three principles of evidence-based medicine. The results show that for PCS patients with PEM, even minimum requirements for rehabilitation measures can lead to overexertion and aggravation., Conclusions: Common subject-specific rehabilitation concepts appear to be only partially suitable for dealing with the symptoms and the heterogeneity of the disease. Aims and interventions should be individually adapted, and the focus should be on pacing, disease coping and management. A reliable test for PEM and rehabilitation ability before the start of rehabilitation is needed to ensure safety for those affected. To adequately classify studies on the effectiveness of rehabilitation, risks and side effects should be disclosed., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier GmbH.)

Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht.

Objective: The prevalence of long-/post-COVID-associated chemosensory symptoms is reported in the literature to be significantly higher than clinical reality reflects., Methods: 1. N= 4062 adults acutely infected with SARS-CoV-2 and their symptoms transmitted by the Jena health office to the Robert Koch Institute between March 2020 and September 2021 were evaluated. 2. Part of the same cohort (N = 909 of 4062) answered an extensive questionnaire at least 3 months after the start of the infection, including existing chemosensory post-COVID-associated complaints. 3. Fourteen post-COVID Jena patients with chemosensory symptoms who had become acutely infected during the same period were diagnosed, treated and advised in our ENT specialist outpatient clinic., Results: The prevalence of chemosensory symptoms at the onset of infection was 19% (600/3187). About every second written respondent of the formerly acutely infected (441/890) remembered chemosensory symptoms during their COVID-19 infection. Of these, around 38% (167/441) complained of persistent chemosensory post-COVID symptoms after an average of 14.5 months. Only 2.3% (14/600) of the previously acutely infected patients with chemosensory symptoms sought medical help in a special consultation. Quantitative chemosensory damage could only be objectified in half, i.e. 1.2% (7/600) of the total cohort., Conclusions: Despite a high prevalence of subjective chemosensory symptoms in acutely and formerly SARS-CoV-2 infected people, there is only a low need for specialized treatment, so that, unlike other post-COVID-associated complaints, the healthcare system as a whole appears to be less significantly burdened., Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

The COVID-19 pandemic faced the public health sector with unprecedented challenges. While the immediate impact on society seems to diminish, reports of long-term health consequences persist. Among the most frequently reported symptoms are neurological complaints such as persistent fatigue and cognitive impairments. Scientific understanding is evolving rapidly, and first therapeutic approaches are emerging. However, many questions still remain unanswered., Competing Interests: Erklärung zu finanziellen Interessen Forschungsförderung erhalten: ja, von einem/den Sponsor(en) dieser Fortbildungseinheit; Honorar/geldwerten Vorteil für Referententätigkeit erhalten: ja, von einer anderen Institution (Pharma- oder Medizintechnikfirma usw.); Bezahlter Berater/interner Schulungsreferent/Gehaltsempfänger: nein; Patent/Geschäftsanteile/Aktien (Autor/Partner, Ehepartner, Kinder) an im Bereich der Medizin aktiven Firma: nein; Patent/Geschäftsanteile/Aktien (Autor/Partner, Ehepartner, Kinder) an zu Sponsoren dieser Fortbildung bzw. durch die Fortbildung in ihren Geschäftsinteressen berührten Firma: nein Erklärung zu nichtfinanziellen Interessen Christiana Franke ist Mitglied des Präsidiums der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurologie (DGN)., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Objective: From the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, gender was shown to play a significant role in how people were affected by it, while aspects related to sexual and gender minorities (SGM) have been rather understudied. The aim of this review was to synthesize systematic reviews and meta-analyses that explicitly addressed the impact of gender within the context of the pandemic, with a focus on SGM., Methods: We based the narrative synthesis of results on a literature search of PubMed. We included systematic reviews and meta-analyses as of 2019 with an identifiable gender comparison or SGM reference and a specified clinical outcome., Results: The search yielded 2 658 hits; 29 systematic reviews were included for content synthesis. Of these, we identified 23 systematic reviews with gender comparisons and 8 related to SGM. Men showed higher prevalence, severity, and mortality of COVID-19 compared with women, but the psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic affected women more compared with men. Evidence suggests that women are at higher risk for Long-COVID-19. SGM experienced increased mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the general population., Discussion: It appears that biological and social risks led to differential susceptibility to infection and manifestation of COVID-19 disease and also accounted for differences in mortality between men and women. Insights on prevalence, disease burden, and mortality among SGM during the COVID-19 pandemic are lacking. This suggests an underrepresentation of SGM in COVID-19-related research. Despite the abundance of COVID-19 publications, gender effects have not often been explicitly and adequately studied., Conclusion: Future studies should examine gender differences and needs and concerns of SGM in mental disorders and further understudied entities like Long-COVID-19, to gain insights and help to provide preventive measures and adequate treatments for all, for potential future pandemics as well., Competing Interests: Die Autor*innen geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Background: The S1 guideline on long/post-COVID of the AWMF [German Association of the Medical Scientific Societies] registration number 020-027) was updated in August 2022., Methods: Under the coordination of the German Society of Pneumology, the guideline was updated by 21 scientific associations, two professional associations and clinical centers each and one institute and statutory accident insurance each. Each scientific association was responsible for its own chapter. The German Pain Society prepared the chapter "Pain". The coordinators of each chapter performed a selective literature search and also received approval for the chapter within their scientific association. During an internal period of comments, all representatives of the participating institutions could comment on all chapters. The AWMF task force commented on the draft of the guideline, which was then finally approved by the boards of all participating institutions., Results: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) increases the risk of persistent headache and musculoskeletal pain. Long/Post-COVID pain is frequently associated with fatigue and cognitive problems. A specialist assessment might be considered if symptoms with limitations of daily activities persist 3 months after the infection. The diagnostic workup of long/post-COVID-associated pain should be performed according to the standards of pain medicine. Management should follow the pain guidelines of the AWMF., Conclusions: The updated S1 guideline on long/post-COVID is a clinical manual which offers orientation for diagnostics and treatment despite limited data., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

Background: Our centre followed a stepwise approach in the nonpharmacological treatment of respiratory failure in COVID-19 in accordance with German national guidelines, escalating non-invasive measures before invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The aim of this study was to analyse this individualized approach to non-pharmacologic therapy in terms of patient characteristics and clinical features that may help predict more severe disease, particularly the need for intensive care., Method: This retrospective single-centre study of COVID-19 inpatients between March 2020 and December 2021 analysed anthropometric data, non-pharmacological maximum therapy and survival status via a manual medical file review., Results: Of 1052 COVID-19-related admissions, 835 patients were included in the analysis cohort (54% male, median 58 years); 34% (n=284) received no therapy, 40% (n=337) conventional oxygen therapy (COT), 3% (n=22) high flow nasal cannula (NHFC), 9% (n=73) continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), 7% (n=56) non-invasive ventilation (NIV), 4% (n=34) intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV), and 3% (n=29) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Of 551 patients treated with at least COT, 12.3% required intubation. A total of 183 patients required ICU treatment, and 106 (13%) died. 25 (74%) IMV patients and 23 (79%) ECMO patients died. Arterial hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia was more prevalent in non-survivors. Binary logistic analysis revealed the following risk factors for increased mortality: an oxygen supplementation of ≥2 L/min at baseline (OR 6.96 [4.01-12.08]), age (OR 1.09 [1.05-1.14]), and male sex (OR 2.23 [0.79-6.31])., Conclusion: The physician's immediate clinical decision to provide oxygen therapy, along with other recognized risk factors, plays an important role in predicting the severity of the disease course and thus aiding in the management of COVID-19., Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The post-COVID consultation (PCC) is offered as part of a comprehensive range of treatment services provided by the statutory accident insurance for post-COVID patients to determine individual recommendations for further care. The aim of the study was to record the main symptoms and the associated restrictions on social and occupational participation in order to derive consequences for outpatient rehabilitation., Method: In addition to a medical examination and a psychological consil, numerous assessments were carried out to evaluate the biopsychosocial state of health. 373 female (82.2%) and 81 male patients aged between 40 and 60 years from the professions of health and care services, education and pedagogy participated in the PCC since April 2021., Results: Nearly all patients (98.2%) reported fatigue as a cardinal symptom of their post-COVID complaints, in combination with subjectively experienced limitations in brain functioning in over 73% of cases. The duration of the symptomatology persisted for an average of 14-15 months in both female and male insured persons. Thus, over 85% of the total sample can be classified as cases of chronic fatigue (Fatigue Scale). The severity of fatigue also proportionally affects quality of life (SF-36), feelings of anxiety and depression (HADS), psychological resilience (RS-13), and motor parameters such as maximum grip strength and endurance capacity. 54.3% of the patients also received a suspected mental diagnosis and 38.1% a recommendation for further neuropsychological diagnostics., Conclusion: For further treatment of the leading symptom of chronic fatigue, a multimodal and interdisciplinary outpatient rehabilitation is recommended, which should be oriented towards the treatment of the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and thus in particular towards a psychoeducational and rather than a curative therapeutic approach, and should consider aftercare strategies. Confirmed mental disorders and neuropsychological deficits are to be treated in addition., Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Aim of the Study: The present work is intended to give an overview of rehabilitation of patients with post COVID-19 condition covered by the German Pension Insurance in 2021., Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of medical rehabilitation completed in 2021, in which COVID-19 sequelae were coded in first or second place in the uniform discharge report according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems was carried out. The codes U08(.9), U09(.9) and U10(.9) as well as the corresponding codes from 2020 were taken into the evaluation as COVID-19-related diseases. Children's rehabilitation and oncological rehabilitation for pensioners and their relatives were excluded. Statistically, relative and absolute frequencies are given for nominal and ordinal variables, and median and quartiles for continuous, skewed distributed variables., Results: 9,666 rehabilitations with one of the codes mentioned in first or second place remained. 54.8% of the patients were women and 43.2% men. The median age was 54 and 55 years (women/men). In all, 64.4% of the rehabilitations were carried out in the pulmonary medicine department. Owing to somatic indications, almost 50% of these patients in rehabilitation remained in the clinic beyond the regular approval period. The most common other diagnoses were diseases of the respiratory system. In 80.7% of those affected, the treating physicians considered the post-COVID-19 condition-associated symptoms as improved through rehabilitation. Furthermore, employment was subject to social security contributions for 88.0% of these patients, and 30.5% were employed in the fields of health, social affairs, teaching, and education. Of those affected, 63.8% were on sick leave when they were admitted, 63.0% when they were discharged. With regard to performance in the last job or on the general job market, over 90.0% received a prognosis for 6 hours and more., Conclusion: The importance of post-COVID-19 condition in the context of medical rehabilitation increased significantly over the course of 2021. The disease causes long periods of disability. With regard to performance, the available analyses give a positive picture; only 6.5% of those individuals undergoing rehabilitation were assessed as having a reduced capacity to earn of less than 3 hours on the general labor market., Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

The first patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 were registered in December 2019. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic, the beginning of a worldwide health crisis that revealed numerous medical challenges for healthcare systems and pandemic emergency strategies.Among these challenges, mucormycosis, a typically rare fungal infection, gained global attention. With an average global incidence of about 2 per 1 million people, mucormycosis is considered a very rare disease, an opportunistic infection mostly affecting the lungs or skin and soft tissues in immunocompromised patients. Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus is one of the leading risk factors for rhino-orbital mucormycosis. Countries with a high prevalence of diabetes and limited healthcare resources have higher mucormycosis rates, with India and Pakistan being among the nations with particularly high incidences.During the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, mucormycosis rates surged dramatically within a few weeks, with over 47,500 cases of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM) reported between May and August 2021. Mucormycosis is characterized by a high mortality rate of up to 90%, especially when the diagnosis is delayed, and treatment commences late. There were concerns about a potentially global threat.In this article, we explore the risk factors and mechanisms leading to this viral-fungal coinfection. We present global distribution patterns, clinical presentation, and challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis., Competing Interests: DS received lecture fees from Pfizer Inc. and Hekma. JAN received lecture fees from Hekma. ES has no COI., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

The acute respiratory failure as well as ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) have challenged clinicians since the initial description over 50 years ago. Various causes can lead to ARDS and therapeutic approaches for ARDS/ARF are limited to the support or replacement of organ functions and the prevention of therapy-induced consequences. In recent years, triggered by the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen, numerous cases of acute lung failure (C-ARDS) have emerged. The pathophysiological processes of classical ARDS and C-ARDS are essentially similar. In their final stages of inflammation, both lead to a disruption of the blood-air barrier. Treatment strategies for C-ARDS, like classical ARDS, focus on supporting or replacing organ functions and preventing consequential damage. This article summarizes the treatment strategies in the intensive care unit., Competing Interests: Erklärung zu finanziellen Interessen Forschungsförderung erhalten: nein; Honorar/geldwerten Vorteil für Referententätigkeit erhalten: ja, von einem/den Sponsor(en) dieser Fortbildungseinheit; Bezahlter Berater/interner Schulungsreferent/Gehaltsempfänger: nein; Patent/Geschäftsanteile/Aktien (Autor/Partner, Ehepartner, Kinder) an im Bereich der Medizin aktiven Firma: nein; Patent/Geschäftsanteile/Aktien (Autor/Partner, Ehepartner, Kinder) an zu Sponsoren dieser Fortbildung bzw. durch die Fortbildung in ihren Geschäftsinteressen berührten Firma: nein Erklärung zu nichtfinanziellen Interessen Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Aim of the study Post-COVID is characterized by a large number of different symptoms. The indication for medical rehabilitation is based on the main symptom. Insured individuals who suffer from fatigue and have no relevant organic disorder are often rehabilitated in psychosomatic clinics. In the present study, the effectiveness of psychosomatic rehabilitation in patients with post-COVID will be investigated. Methods 91 patients with post-COVID are compared to 124 patients with mental disorders and 68 patients with cancer regarding the improvement of fatigue and depressiveness as well as satisfaction and socio-medical parameters. Results At admission, the level of fatigue did not differ in the three groups and was equally reduced. Patients with post-COVID and high depression scores at admission had clinically significant levels of fatigue at discharge. The proportion of patients with mental disorders who were discharged with a negative prognosis for employment was significantly increased. Discussion Although psychosomatic rehabilitation can reduce fatigue, the proportion of patients suffering from fatigue with post-COVID at discharge is still high. Conclusion The treatment concept for the rehabilitation of patients with post-COVID must take into account the often individual course of the disease. Psychosomatic rehabilitation can make an important contribution here., Competing Interests: A. Kobelt-Pönicke arbeitet bei der Deutschen Rentenversicherung. Die anderen Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht.

Background: The Long Covid syndrome, a condition that is induced by SARS-CoV-2, affects patients in their social and professional life due to persistent symptoms and functional deficits. Medical rehabilitation aims to reduce participation incapacity and restore the ability to work. So far, it is not known what happens to the occupational situation of people affected by Long Covid after pneumological rehabilitation., Methods: The overall study is designed as a multicentric and prospective observational study with a mixed-method design. Covid-19 rehabilitation patients undergoing pneumological rehabilitation aged between 18 and 65 years were recruited. The questionnaire data of persons that were employed at baseline were evaluated. The written survey took place at the beginning and at end of rehabilitation and, additionally, after six months. The data collected included terms such as return to work, occupational stress and changes, subjective prognosis of gainful employment (SPE scale) and occupational performance and working ability (WAI)., Results: The sample comprised N=173 participants (68.2% female) and the average age was 52.5 years. 85.5% of the rehabilitation patients were fit for work six months after rehabilitation and returned to a job. Absenteeism, subjectively perceived performance, and work ability improved statistically significantly over time (p<0.01). The risk of early retirement still existed six months after rehabilitation in 41.3% of the study participants. The participation limitations were statistically significantly reduced during the follow-up with a medium effect size (ES=0.60, p<0.01). In the logistic regression, the WAI proved to be a significantly protective predictor of return to work, while cognitive corona symptoms and high levels of cognitive fatigue proved to be risk factors., Conclusion: The majority of rehabilitation patients are gainfully employed six months after pneumological rehabilitation, although persistent symptoms and a reduced ability to work are also reported even after rehabilitation. In the rehabilitation of employed persons, work-related elements, for example clarification of work-related questions and preparation for occupational demands (e. g. concentration, stress, physical demands), could support a sustained return to work., Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: If COVID-19 disease sequelae also (co-)affect the respiratory organs, national and international guidelines recommend pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). So far, however, no studies are available from Germany on the course after PR, nor on possible course differences between the two Long COVID subgroups "Ongoing symptomatic COVID-19" and "Post-COVID-19 syndrome" (PCS)., Methods:   In a prospective observational study, patient-reported outcomes (PROs) regarding exertional dyspnea, quality of life, pain, fatigue, depression, and anxiety were assessed at the beginning of PR (T1), end of PR (T2), and after 3 (T3) and 6 months (T4). Statistical analyses were performed using latent difference models., Results:   There were 224 rehabilitation patients (M Age =54.4; SD Age =10.4; 42.0% female) included in the study. During PR, all PROs improved significantly. After PR, improvements either persisted with large pre-post effect sizes (exertional dyspnea, quality of life), decreased slightly to small pre-post effect sizes (depression, fatigue), or decreased to baseline levels (anxiety, pain). PCS patients had greater burdens in depression, fatigue, and pain at baseline, but did not differ in trajectories. Indicators of the severity of the preceding acute phase (oxygen therapy, ICU treatment, ventilation) were associated with higher burdens at T0 in depression, fatigue, and pain, but not with the courses during and after PR. In contrast, female patients showed higher burdens in both depression and fatigue at T1 and higher pre-post effects than male patients., Conclusion:   The fact that improvements in PROs occurred in both subgroups only during PR, but not during the follow-up period suggests that the changes are not due to the natural healing process but at least partly due to PR. Moreover, the results suggest that both patient groups may benefit from PR. Persisting improvements in exertional dyspnea and quality of life and, to a reduced extent, in depression and fatigue until 6 months after PR, but not in pain and anxiety warrant study of additional multimodal interventions that may be needed to maintain these effects., Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Background: Some people suffering from Covid-19 can be affected by persistent symptoms and long-term consequences of the disease (Long Covid) beyond their acute phase. Consequently, this can lead to restrictions in participation. Therefore, the focus is on medical rehabilitation in which Long Covid is treated as a new challenge., Methods: A prospective, exploratory observational study will be conducted. The written survey of Long Covid rehabilitants takes place at the beginning and end of the pneumological rehabilitation. The aim of the study is to describe the rehabilitation contents and goals, the subjective burdens, the social and occupational participation as well as the health-related changes. Among other factors, disease-specific symptoms, quality of life, participation, psychological impairments, fatigue, and performance were recorded., Results: Long Covid rehabilitants (N=221) participate in the written survey. At the end of rehabilitation, the questionnaire survey indicated significant improvements in almost all outcome parameters with a large effect (p<0.01; ES between 0.76 (anxiety) and 1.30 (fatigue)). All corona symptoms, such as breathlessness on exertion, fatigue or lack of strength improved significantly at the end of rehabilitation. Moreover, the rehabilitants most frequently name the improvement of their health (92%), the increase of their performance (92%) and the improvement of the respiratory muscle strength (78%) as rehabilitation goals. In fact, these goals are achieved by 60 to 70%, significantly fewer rehabilitation patients reach the restoration of their ability to work (32%) or a better ability to concentrate (17%). Respiratory physiotherapy, endurance training and medical training therapy are described as most helpful. At the end of rehabilitation, 76% rated their rehabilitation success as good to excellent based on a single question., Conclusion: The first data of the study reveal that Long Covid rehabilitants are exposed to substantial burdens. Through medical rehabilitation, the patients experience medical and social support and experience significant improvements in all recorded health-related outcomes., Competing Interests: Die Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Background: The SARS-Cov-2 outbreak in the spring of 2020 challenged the health care system, and thus primary care, on an unprecedented scale. Knowledge about the new disease was low, whereas the dynamics of knowledge generation were high and inhomogeneous. A number of new primary care tasks related to the pandemic situation emerged. Guidance in the management of COVID-19 was therefore needed, although robust evidence was not yet available. The information required concerned not only the virus and the new disease COVID-19, but also regulatory requirements and organizational issues. In this situation, a flexible, web-based information tool, easy to update and usable at the point of care, was developed at Karl Landsteiner Private University Krems and put online under the name of "COVID-19: prevention and management in primary care practices" on March 25, 2020. In a retrospective process description, we describe the needs-triggered process of developing and disseminating a practice-based tool to support practicing primary care physicians in a period of high uncertainty with an urgent need for information. Afterwards, we reflect on the learning process from a purely pragmatic to an increasingly structured approach and try to draw conclusions regarding optimization possibilities in terms of creation and dissemination., Conclusion and Outlook: In situations of high uncertainty combined with an acute need for action and decision-making, there is a significant need for information that is as reliable as possible. Science transfer must be done in such a way that information can be implemented quickly. Dissemination, as always, plays an essential role. Gaps must be accepted. A structured process of quality assurance must be established in parallel. Funds and resources for knowledge transfer should be included in future pandemic plans., Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Background: Epidemiological data on the corona pandemic collected in the public health sector in Germany have been less useful in estimating vaccine effectiveness and clinical outcomes compared to other countries., Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we examined the completeness of selected own data collected during the pandemic. Information on the important parameters of hospitalization, vaccination status and risk factors for severe course and death over different periods were considered and evaluated descriptively. The data are discussed in the extended context of required digital strategies in Germany., Results: From January 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022, we found 126,920 administrative procedures related to COVID-19. With regard to the data on hospitalization, in 19,749 cases, it was stated "No", in 1,990 cases "Yes" and in 105,181 cases (83+%) "Not collected" or "Not ascertainable". Concerning vaccinations, only a small proportion of procedures contained information on the type of vaccine (11.1+%), number of vaccinations (4.4+%) and date of the last vaccination (2.1+%). The completeness of data on chronic conditions/risk factors in COVID-19-related deaths decreased over four consecutive periods between 2020 and 2022 as case numbers increased., Conclusion: Future strategies taking into account meaningfulness and completeness of data must comprise modern technical solutions with digital data collection on infections without putting the principle of data protection at risk., Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

After acute infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, up to 10 % of affected individuals suffer from long-term health impairments, also referred to as "Post-COVID". In Germany, specialized outpatient clinics have been established to care for patients with Post-COVID. A structured survey of the care situation is not yet available, but essential for a demand-oriented care. The present study aimed to systematically assess and describe structural and process-related aspects of care, and to perform an inventory and needs analysis of Post-COVID outpatient clinics in Germany.An online survey was developed assessing the structure and organization of the outpatient clinics, service offerings and networking of care from the perspective of the outpatient clinic directors. A total of 95 outpatient clinics were identified, and an invitation to participate in the online survey was sent via e-mail to the directors of the outpatient clinics. Data were collected between February and May 2022. Descriptive data analysis was performed.A total of 28 outpatient clinic managers (29 %) took part in the survey. Participants were between 32 and 66 years old, and 61 % (n = 17) were male. The outpatient clinics were most frequently affiliated with the specialties of pneumology (n = 10; 36 %), internal medicine, psychiatric and psychosomatic medicine, and neurology (n = 8; 29 %, respectively). Among the outpatient clinic directors, 64 % (n = 18) stated that the time spent waiting for an appointment was more than one month. Utilization (n = 25; 89 %), appointment demand (n = 26; 93 %), and the need for more Post-COVID outpatient clinics (n = 20; 71 %) were rated as high by the outpatient clinic directors. Nearly all directors reported networking with in-clinic facilities (n = 27; 96 %), with primary care physicians and with specialists in private practice (n = 21; 75 %, respectively).The main focus of care is pneumology. Internal medicine, psychiatry/psychosomatics and neurology are also equally represented. Our data further suggest a high demand for Post-COVID outpatient clinics and the need to expand this care offer., Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commecial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).)