Long-Term COVID-19 Complications: A Multidisciplinary Clinic Follow-Up Approach

Three years ago, a study was conducted at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to observe the long-term complications of COVID-19 and the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary follow-up approach. The study involved 37 patients who were discharged from high-dependency or intensive care units. The follow-up consisted of a team of professionals from various fields, including intensive care, respiratory, therapy, psychology, pharmacy, dietetics, and community wellbeing. The team identified and addressed long-term complications of COVID-19, such as fatigue, breathlessness, decline in functional and mental health, and hair loss. The study concluded that a multidisciplinary approach allows for personalized interventions and early identification of potentially life-limiting complications, while also providing primary care colleagues with an action plan to manage these patients upon discharge. Further studies were recommended to better understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 and how to optimally manage them.