Implications of Long COVID for Society: Insights into the Physical, Social, and Financial Impacts from Patient Interviews

Alice A. Gaughan, Laura J. Rush and Ann Scheck McAlearney ()
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Alice A. Gaughan: The Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking in Health Services and Implementation Science Research (CATALYST), College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43202, USA
Laura J. Rush: The Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking in Health Services and Implementation Science Research (CATALYST), College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43202, USA
Ann Scheck McAlearney: The Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking in Health Services and Implementation Science Research (CATALYST), College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43202, USA

Challenges, 2024, vol. 15, issue 4, 1-9

Abstract: Long COVID affects millions of people worldwide and has emerged as a major health consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. While quantitative studies have helped paint a picture of ongoing symptomatology, there are very few longitudinal qualitative studies that present patients’ perspectives about the significant and persistent impact Long COVID has on their daily lives. To address this gap, we conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with nine Long COVID patients about 15 months after we performed an initial set of interviews with those patients who were seeking care at a Long COVID specialty clinic. Most patients that we re-interviewed reported having lingering symptoms that continue to impact their lives. Many described suffering with mental health issues, particularly depression and anxiety. Others described financial stress. Most reported not yet being unable to return to their pre-COVID level of health and well-being. Our work demonstrates the ongoing need to study Long COVID and provide robust social support, mental health resources, and healthcare focused on symptom relief.

Keywords: COVID-19; Long COVID; post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection; COVID-19 syndrome; qualitative research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A00 C00 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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