A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a Virtual Rehabilitation Program for Self-Management in Post-COVID-19 Syndrome (Long COVID)

Abstract

Long COVID (LC) symptoms can be long standing, diverse and debilitating; comprehensive multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs are required to address this. A 10-week LC Virtual Rehabilitation Program (VRP) was developed to provide early education and self-management techniques to address the main symptoms of LC and was delivered to a group of persons with Long COVID (PwLC) online, facilitated by members of the multi-disciplinary rehabilitation team. This paper describes an evaluation of this VRP. Questionnaires completed by Healthcare Professionals (HCP) delivering the VRP were thematically analyzed to gain a priori themes and design semi-structured telephone interview questions for PwLC. Template analysis (TA) was used to analyze interview data. Routinely collected patient demographics and service data were also examined. Seventeen HCP survey responses were obtained and 38 PwLC telephone questionnaires were completed. The HCP interviews generated three a priori themes (1. Attendance and Availability, 2. Content, 3. Use of Digital Technology). TA was applied and three further themes emerged from the combined HCP and PwLC responses (4. Group Dynamics, 5. Individual Factors, 6. Internal Change). Key outcomes demonstrated that: the VRP was highly valued; digital delivery enabled self-management; barriers to attendance included work/life balance, use of technology, health inequalities; and LC was poorly understood by employers. Recommendations are provided for the design of VRPs for LC.

Effects of Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Program in Patients with Long COVID-19: Post-COVID-19 Rehabilitation (PCR SIRIO 8) Study

“…Due to the growing number of patients with long COVID-19, there is an urgent need to create safe and effective rehabilitation programs to relieve symptoms and promote early return to work and social roles. An interesting alternative of Virtual Rehabilitation Program for long COVID-19 patients was proposed by Flannery et al [ 36 ]. A 10-week Virtual Rehabilitation Program aimed to provide early education and self-management techniques to relieve the most common long COVID-19 symptoms.…”

The pulmonary rehabilitation effect on long covid‐19 syndrome: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…It requires technological functionality, environmental adaptation, and telemedicine skills, which may involve barriers that some patients cannot handle (Santos et al., 2022). To solve these problems, a recent study proposes some recommendations to improve the design of telerehabilitation programs when treating patients with LC (Flannery et al., 2022).…”

Transformation of chronic disease management: Before and after the COVID-19 outbreak

“…A 10-week virtual rehabilitation program for Long-COVID patients, led by multidisciplinary team, conducted weekly one-hour video learning sessions and peer interaction on Long-COVID symptoms and education. Participants have highly regarded the program, especially the guidance on breathlessness and fatigue management ( 59 ). Furthermore, a project that incorporated standardizing patient assessments, ensuring individual rehabilitation plans, and reporting activity performance was conducted in Italy, showing improvement for Long-COVID patient and caregiver education and creation of a regional database for data collection ( 60 ).…”