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Accessing Care Services for Long COVID Sufferers in Alberta, Canada: A Random, Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Author

Listed:
  • Jacqueline A. Krysa

    (Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, and Vision Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB T5J 3E4, Canada
    Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada)

  • Sidney Horlick

    (Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, and Vision Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB T5J 3E4, Canada
    Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada)

  • Kiran Pohar Manhas

    (Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, and Vision Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB T5J 3E4, Canada
    Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Katharina Kovacs Burns

    (School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
    Department of Clinical Quality Metrics, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB T5J 3E4, Canada)

  • Mikayla Buell

    (Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, and Vision Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB T5J 3E4, Canada
    Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Maria J. Santana

    (Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Kristine Russell

    (Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, and Vision Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB T5J 3E4, Canada)

  • Elizabeth Papathanassoglou

    (Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, and Vision Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB T5J 3E4, Canada
    Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada)

  • Chester Ho

    (Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, and Vision Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB T5J 3E4, Canada
    Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada)

Abstract

Designing appropriate rehabilitation programs for long COVID-19 remains challenging. The purpose of this study was to explore the patient experience of accessing long COVID-19 rehabilitation and recovery services. In this cross-sectional, observational study, a telephone survey was administered to a random sample of persons with long COVID-19 in a Canadian province. Participants included adults who tested positive for COVID-19 between March and October 2021. Survey respondents ( n = 330) included individuals who had been previously hospitalized for COVID-19 ( n = 165) and those who had not been hospitalized (‘non-hospitalized’) for COVID-19 ( n = 165). Significantly more previously hospitalized respondents visited a family doctor for long COVID-19 symptoms compared to non-hospitalized respondents (hospitalized: n = 109 (66.1%); non-hospitalized: n = 25 (15.2%); ( p < 0.0001)). Previously hospitalized respondents reported significantly more referrals to specialty healthcare providers for long COVID-19 sym`ptoms (hospitalized: n = 45 (27.3%); non-hospitalized: n = 6 (3.6%); ( p < 0.001)). A comparable number of respondents in both groups accessed care services that did not require a referral to manage their long COVID-19 symptoms (hospitalized: n = 31 (18.8%); non-hospitalized: n = 20 (12.1%); ( p = 0.20)). These findings demonstrate the diversity of recovery services used by individuals with long COVID-19 and emphasize the need for multidisciplinary long COVID-19 rehabilitation and recovery care pathways.

Suggested Citation

  • Jacqueline A. Krysa & Sidney Horlick & Kiran Pohar Manhas & Katharina Kovacs Burns & Mikayla Buell & Maria J. Santana & Kristine Russell & Elizabeth Papathanassoglou & Chester Ho, 2023. "Accessing Care Services for Long COVID Sufferers in Alberta, Canada: A Random, Cross-Sectional Survey Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(15), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:15:p:6457-:d:1203970
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Min Du & Yirui Ma & Jie Deng & Min Liu & Jue Liu, 2022. "Comparison of Long COVID-19 Caused by Different SARS-CoV-2 Strains: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-15, November.
    2. Callard, Felicity & Perego, Elisa, 2021. "How and why patients made Long Covid," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    3. Sarah E. Roth & Diana J. Govier & Katherine Marsi & Hannah Cohen-Cline, 2022. "Differences in Outpatient Health Care Utilization 12 Months after COVID-19 Infection by Race/Ethnicity and Community Social Vulnerability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-15, March.
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