Investigating Scottish long COVID community rehabilitation service models from the perspectives of people living with long COVID and healthcare professionals: a qualitative descriptive study.

Duncan, Edward; Alexander, Lyndsay; Cowie, Julie; Love, Alison; Morris, Jacqui H.; Moss, Rachel; Ormerod, Jane; Preston, Jenny; Shim, Joanna; Stage, Emma; Tooman, Tricia; Cooper, Kay

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of barriers and facilitators to accessing Long COVID community rehabilitation. We used a qualitative descriptive design over two rounds of data collection with three participant groups: (1) people with experience of rehabilitation for Long COVID (PwLC); (2) National Health Service (NHS) staff delivering and/or managing community rehabilitation services (allied health professionals (AHPs)) and (3) NHS staff involved in strategic planning around Long COVID in their health board (Long COVID leads). The study was based in four NHS Scotland territorial health boards. It involved 51 participant interviews: eight Long COVID leads (11 interviews); 15 AHPs (25 interviews) and 15 PwLC (15 interviews). Three key themes were identified: (1) accessing care for PwLC, (2) understanding Long COVID and its management and (3) strengths and limitations of existing Long COVID rehabilitation services. The study concluded that organisational delivery of Long COVID community rehabilitation is complex and presents multiple challenges. In addition, access to Long COVID community rehabilitation can be challenging. When accessed, these services are valued by PwLC but require adequate planning, publicity and resource. The findings presented here can be used by those developing and delivering services for people with Long COVID.

Citation

DUNCAN, E., ALEXANDER, L., COWIE, J., LOVE, A., MORRIS, J.H., MOSS, R., ORMEROD, J., PRESTON, J., SHIM, J., STAGE, E., TOOMAN, T. and COOPER, K. 2023. Investigating Scottish long COVID community rehabilitation service models from the perspectives of people living with long COVID and healthcare professionals: a qualitative descriptive study. BMJ open [online], 13(12), article number e078740. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078740

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 15, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Dec 14, 2023
• Publication Date: Dec 31, 2023
• Deposit Date: Dec 15, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 15, 2023
• Journal: BMJ open
• Electronic ISSN: 2044-6055
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 12
• Article Number: e078740
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078740
• Keywords: COVID-19; Long COVID; Health rehabilitation; Health care services; Scotland
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2174576