Use of Rehabilitation Services for Clients with Long-covid: A Mixed-methods Study 4223

This mixed-methods study aimed to: 1. examine the utilization of rehabilitation services (Physical Therapy [PT], Occupational Therapy [OT], Speech Language Pathology [SLP], and Psychology[ Psych]) among adults with Long-COVID; 2. determine factors associated with receiving and not receiving services; 3. describe participant satisfaction with services; and 4. explore the experiences of people with Long-COVID regarding access to rehabilitation services. Adults aged >18 years who received a positive PCR COVID-19 test and were at least 12 weeks post-diagnosis were eligible to participate. Participants received an online survey including the Newcastle Post-COVID Syndrome Follow Up Screening Questionnaire, the COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale, and the COVID-19 Rehabilitation Needs Questionnaire. A subset was included in the qualitative telephone interviews. 1,031/ 2764 respondents reported having Long-COVID symptoms. 37 (3.6%) received OT, 80 (7.8%) PT, 2 (0.2%) SLP, and 63 (6.1%) Psych. Clinical and demographic factors associated with receiving services were hospitalisation, vaccination, comorbidities, at least 1 year since COVID-19 diagnosis, female, ≥55 years, married/living together, and being employed. The majority of those who received services were satisfied/very satisfied. Results from the 12 interviewees identified three main themes: 1. impact of Long-COVID on personal and occupational life (occupational and social life, leisure activities); 2. rehabilitation services (access barriers [e.g. difficulties getting referred, cost of services, lack of awareness], perceptions of services received); and 3. psychosocial support (both positive and negative). Many participants did not receive the rehabilitation services they needed. Several barriers to accessing services were identified. There is a need for accessible rehabilitation services to support the recovery of clients with Long-COVID.