Mobile Primary Healthcare for post-COVID Patients in Rural Areas: a Proof-of-Concept Study

Abstract

IntroductionPost-COVID syndrome is increasingly recognized as a new clinical entity after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients living in rural areas may have to travel long with subjectively great effort to be examined using all necessary interdisciplinary tools. This problem could be addressed with mobile outpatient clinics.MethodsIn this prospective observational study, we investigated physical fitness, fatigue, depression, cognitive dysfunction and dyspnea in patients with post-COVID syndrome in a mobile interdisciplinary post-COVID outpatient clinic. Upon referral from their primary care physician, patients were offered an appointment at a mobile post-COVID outpatient clinic close to their home.ResultsWe studied 125 patients (female, n=79; 63.2%) in our mobile unit. All patients reported symptoms lasting for more than 12 weeks after acute infection. 88.3% and 64.1% of patients reported significant impairment in physical and mental quality of life. Patients reported a median of three symptoms. The most frequently reported symptoms were fatigue (86.4%), cognitive dysfunction (85.6%), and dyspnea (37.6%). 56.0% of patients performed at <2.5th percentile at the 1 min sit-to-stand test compared to age and sex-matched healthy controls and 25 patients (20.0%) exhibited a drop in oxygen saturation. A questionnaire given to each patient regarding the mobile unit revealed a very high level of patient satisfaction.ConclusionThere is an increasing need for high-quality and locally available care for patients with post-COVID syndrome. A mobile post-COVID outpatient clinic is a new concept that may be particularly suitable for use in rural regions. Patients’ satisfaction following visits in such units is very high.

Longterm course of neuropsychological symptoms and ME/CFS after SARS-CoV-2-infection: a prospective registry study

“…One main limitation in providing care for all post-COVID patients is the availability of experienced medical personal. The use of telemedical concepts and guidance to self-training may provide a promising option to overcome this constraint [41] as these are already successfully used in other indications [42,43].…”

“…Between August 1st 2020 and October 31st 2022, 1.022 patients visited our post-COVID out-patient clinic. 684 (66.9%) of the patients were female with a median age of 51 years (41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54)(55)(56)(57)(58)(59). The median time between infection and the first presentation to the post-COVID out-patient clinic was 255 days (84-728 days) after diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection.…”