Long COVID in healthcare workers: longitudinal mixed-methods study.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Healthcare workers (HCWs) exhibit higher rates of long COVID (LC) compared to other professions.
• The long-term prognosis of LC remains uncertain.
• Workforce shortages are exacerbated by LC-related absenteeism and reduced productivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of HCWs with LC.
• To assess the impact of LC on health-related quality of life (HRQL), healthcare utilization, work, personal life, and finances.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal mixed-methods study involving online surveys and qualitative interviews conducted 6 months apart.
• Recruitment of HCWs experiencing self-reported LC via social media and NHS channels.
• Purposive sampling of interviewees from survey respondents.

Main Results:

• Persistent, relapsing, and evolving LC symptoms were reported by all participants, with an average of 7.1 symptoms at follow-up.
• A third of participants experienced significant limitations in daily activities.
• Most HCWs worked in reduced capacity (fewer hours, altered roles/locations), faced limited and unsatisfactory healthcare, and expressed fears regarding reinfection, future work capacity, and financial security.

Conclusions:

• HCWs continue to work while managing complex, dynamic LC symptoms that affect daily life and employment.
• Significant improvements in LC symptoms or quality of life were not widely reported over the study period.
• Concerns about future health and financial stability persist among HCWs with LC.