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Management and treatment of long COVID symptoms in general practices: An online-based survey 2022 Schrimpf et al

Discussion in 'Long Covid research' started by Andy, Sep 30, 2022.

  1. Andy

    Andy Committee Member

    Messages:
    21,810
    Location:
    Hampshire, UK
    Independent from initial severity, many patients develop persistent symptoms after infection with SARS-CoV-2, described as long COVID syndrome. Most of these patients are treated by general practitioners (GPs). As evidence-based treatment recommendations are still sparse, GPs must make their therapy decisions under uncertainty.

    We investigated (1) the most frequently observed long COVID symptoms in general practices and (2) GPs' applied treatment and rehabilitation plans for these symptoms. In total, 143 German GPs participated in an online-based survey between 05/2021 and 07/2021. We found that each GP practice was treating on average 12 patients with long COVID symptoms. Most frequently seen symptoms were fatigue and reduced performance. Current therapy options were rated as poor and loss of smell and taste, fatigue, or lack of concentration were perceived to be especially difficult to treat. The use of drug and non-drug therapies and specialist referrals focused primarily on physiological and less on psychosomatic/psychological rehabilitation and followed guidelines of similar conditions.

    Our results provide first insights into how GPs approach a newly emerging condition in the absence of guidelines, evidence-based recommendations, or approved therapies, and might inform about GP preparedness in future pandemics. Our results also emphasize a gap between the current knowledge of the long COVID manifestation and knowledge about effective rehabilitation.

    Open access, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.937100/full
     
  2. TruthSeeker

    TruthSeeker Established Member

    Messages:
    4
    "A newly emerging condition"
    If only it was?
     
    alktipping, Peter Trewhitt and Trish like this.
  3. rvallee

    rvallee Senior Member (Voting Rights)

    Messages:
    12,299
    Location:
    Canada
    Not being treated by specialists does not mean they are being treated by generalists. There are no treatments, I am baffled as to how this could be treated anywhere, but the logic here is just wrong. Seeing someone is not treating someone, the cult of the white lab coat is beyond silly at this point.
    Straight up delusional. None of this is happening, the failure is excessive, and they are basically applauding themselves and lining up the achievement awards.

    I have never in my life seen people aim so low. Failure is not just an acceptable outcome, it's basically preferred because it's familiar and comfortable, requires no effort, the same rote formula can be mindlessly applied since no one seems to care that this is all wrong.
     
    Sean, alktipping and BrightCandle like this.

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