Publication of final report
The report was published on March 27. Read more about the research results in the report or in the summary.
Post-COVID
Some people continue to suffer from persistent health complaints after a corona infection. When these complaints last longer than three months, we speak of post-COVID (also called Long COVID). Post-COVID patients experience complaints such as fatigue, concentration and memory problems, hypersensitivity to light and sound, shortness of breath and loss of smell and taste. A total of more than 200 complaints have been registered.
Post-COVID has a major impact on quality of life, general, physical and mental health, and on social and labor participation. Thousands of people are unable to work for months and many have now been declared completely incapacitated for work.
Improving post-COVID care
Patients have to deal with many different (care) professionals and institutions. Think of doctors, paramedics, occupational experts, municipalities, welfare organizations and UWV. In addition, they often go through various care and/or guidance processes, which in many cases they have to manage themselves.
(Healthcare) professionals and institutions are not always sufficiently familiar with post-COVID, which causes patients to experience problems in receiving the right care and support. More insight is needed into bottlenecks, gaps and opportunities from professionals to improve tailor-made care for post-COVID patients in the short and long term. Among other things, by strengthening connections between the different disciplines. To this end, a Delphi study is being conducted by Erasmus MC and C-support.
What is a Delphi study?
A Delphi study collects judgments and opinions from experts. These are used to reach consensus on topics and themes. The method is used when the available knowledge is incomplete or subject to uncertainty. The aim of this approach is to map the current state of knowledge, formulate recommendations for adjustments and prioritize measures.
In the case of the Delphi study Post-COVID Care, the study looks like this:
- Focus group thinks about the topics and themes.
- Sounding board group helps to think about the research design and questionnaire.
- Distribute questionnaire 1 to all those involved in post-COVID care.
- Discuss results in a sounding board group.
- Distribute questionnaire 2 among the same participants as questionnaire 1.
- Discuss results in a sounding board group.
- If consensus has not yet been reached by the two questionnaires, a third short questionnaire may be distributed.
- Research report, scientific publication and list of recommendations.
The composition of the focus and sounding board group is predetermined. Participants in the study are only asked to fill in the questionnaires. The second questionnaire is now closed.
Aim of research into post-COVID care
The Delphi study conducted by Erasmus MC and C-support aims to:
- To improve care and support for post-COVID patients in the short and long term by gaining more insight into opportunities and barriers that healthcare professionals see in the care and support of post-COVID patients.
- Establishing and strengthening connections between the various disciplines and domains, thereby anchoring an integrated approach for post-COVID patients and tailor-made care.
Participation
Anyone involved in the care and support of post-COVID patients could participate. Doctors, specialists, paramedics, psychologists, nurses, occupational experts, social workers, etc. Policy makers and health insurers could also participate.
The first questionnaire was sent out in October 2023. A total of 270 professionals completed the questionnaire. After the results of the first questionnaires were analyzed and discussed in the sounding board group, participants received an invitation for the second questionnaire in May 2024. Erasmus MC will provide a report on the results in March of this year.
Questions?
Do you have a question about this research? Please contact: research@c-support.nu
