Long COVID Definitions and Models of Care : A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Medical Research
• Public Health
• Healthcare Systems

Background:

• Definitions for long COVID (post-COVID conditions) are inconsistent and evolving.
• Optimal models for managing long COVID patients remain uncertain.
• This study addresses the need for clarity in long COVID definitions and care approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of existing long COVID definitions.
• To provide an overview of current long COVID care models.
• To propose a framework for describing and differentiating long COVID care models.

Main Methods:

• Searched multiple databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, etc.) and gray literature from January 2021 to November 2023.
• Included publications on long COVID definitions or care models, supplemented by expert informant insights.
• Extracted data systematically, with verification by a second reviewer.

Main Results:

• Identified five clinical definitions of long COVID varying in diagnostic criteria (timing, duration, symptom scores).
• Described 49 long COVID care models based on five key principles (e.g., multidisciplinary teams, patient-centered care).
• Developed a seven-characteristic framework to distinguish models, identifying 10 practice-based and 3 systems-based models.

Conclusions:

• Current long COVID definitions and care models lack standardization and detailed outcome data.
• Further research is essential to refine definitions and evaluate the effectiveness of different care models.
• A proposed framework aids in understanding and comparing diverse long COVID care approaches.