Follow-up outpatient clinics for patients with post COVID: a survey to assess and characterize aspects of care: eine Befragung zur Bestandsaufnahme und Charakterisierung von Versorgungsaspekten

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Eva-Maria Skiba - , University Hospital Magdeburg (Author)
  • Karl Philipp Drewitz - , University Hospital Magdeburg (Author)
  • Ivonne Panchyrz - , Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare (Author)
  • Stefanie Deckert - , Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare (Author)
  • Christian Apfelbacher - , University Hospital Magdeburg (Author)
  • Katharina Piontek - , University Hospital Magdeburg (Author)

Abstract

Background After acute infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, up to 10% of affected individuals suffer from long-term health impairments, also referred to as Post-COVID. In Germany, specialized outpatient clinics have been established to care for patients with Post-COVID. A structured survey of the care situation is not yet available, but essential for a demand-oriented care. The present study aimed to systematically assess and describe structural and process-related aspects of care, and to perform an inventory and needs analysis of Post-COVID outpatient clinics in Germany. Methods An online survey was developed assessing the structure and organization of the outpatient clinics, service offerings and networking of care from the perspective of the outpatient clinic directors. A total of 95 outpatient clinics were identified, and an invitation to participate in the online survey was sent via e-mail to the directors of the outpatient clinics. Data were collected between February and May 2022. Descriptive data analysis was performed. Results A total of 28 outpatient clinic managers (29%) took part in the survey. Participants were between 32 and 66 years old, and 61% (n=17) were male. The outpatient clinics were most frequently affiliated with the specialties of pneumology (n=10; 36%), internal medicine, psychiatric and psychosomatic medicine, and neurology (n=8; 29%, respectively). Among the outpatient clinic directors, 64% (n=18) stated that the time spent waiting for an appointment was more than one month. Utilization (n=25; 89%), appointment demand (n=26; 93%), and the need for more Post-COVID outpatient clinics (n=20; 71%) were rated as high by the outpatient clinic directors. Nearly all directors reported networking with in-clinic facilities (n=27; 96%), with primary care physicians and with specialists in private practice (n=21; 75%, respectively). Conclusion The main focus of care is pneumology. Internal medicine, psychiatry/psychosomatics and neurology are also equally represented. Our data further suggest a high demand for Post-COVID outpatient clinics and the need to expand this care offer.

Translated title of the contribution
Follow-up outpatient clinics for patients with post COVID
a survey to assess and characterize aspects of care

Details

Original languageGerman
Pages (from-to)e48-e57
JournalDeutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)
Volume149
Issue number9
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMedCentral PMC11018383
Scopus 85190804889
Mendeley 66e3c779-1f3c-3a3f-b597-ede65270ff4c
ORCID /0000-0002-6827-8821/work/168146119

Keywords

Keywords

  • Humans, Male, Adult, Middle Aged, Aged, Female, Follow-Up Studies, COVID-19/epidemiology, SARS-CoV-2, Ambulatory Care Facilities, Internal Medicine