Evaluation of allied healthcare in patients recovering from Covid-19

Authors Rob A. de Bie, Arie C. Verburg, Carla Agasi-Idenburg, Edith H.C. Cup, Carolien Dekker, Johanna M. van Dongen, Edwin Geleijn, Marissa H.G. Gerards, Maud Graff, Ron van Heerde, Hanneke Kalf, Marly Kammerer, Renée A. Kool, Anja de Kruif, Hinke M. Kruizenga, Marike van der Leeden, Ton A.F. Lenssen, Willemijn M. Meijer, Raymond Ostelo, Amber Ronteltap, Marike van der Schaaf, Sonja van Oers, Marian A. E. de van der Schueren, Anne I. Slotegraaf, Cindy Veenhof, Thomas J. Hoogeboom, Philip J. van der Wees
Published in Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine
Publication date 2022
Research groups Innovation of Movement Care
Type Article

Summary

Objective: To report the study protocol and baseline characteristics of a prospective cohort study to evaluate longitudinal recovery trajectories of patients recovering from COVID-19 who have visited a primary care allied health professional. Design: Report of the protocol and baseline characteristics for a prospective cohort study with a mixed-methods approach. Patients: Patients recovering from COVID-19 treated by primary care dietitians, exercise therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists and/or speech and language therapists in the Netherlands. Methods: The prospective study will measure primary outcome domains: participation, health-related quality of life, fatigue, physical functioning, and costs, at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Interviews, on the patients’ experiences with allied healthcare, will be held with a subsample of patients and allied health professionals. Results: The cohort comprises 1,451 patients (57% female, mean age 49 (standard deviation 13) years). Preliminary results for the study cohort show that 974 (67%) of the participants reported mild/moderate severity symptoms during the infection period and patients reported severe restrictions in activities of daily living compared with previous research in other patient populations. Both quantitative and qualitative, will provide insight into the recovery of patients who are treated by allied health professionals. Conclusion: In conclusion, this will be the first comprehensive study to longitudinally evaluate the recovery trajectories and related costs of patients recovering from COVID-19 who are treated by allied health professionals in the Netherlands. This study will provide evidence for the optimal strategy to treat patients recovering from COVID-19 infection, including which patients benefit, and to what extent, from treatment, and which factors might impact their recovery course over time. The preliminary results of this study demonstrated the severity of restrictions and complaints at the start of therapy are substantial.

On this publication contributed

  • Amber Ronteltap
    Amber Ronteltap
    • Researcher
    • Research group: Innovation of Movement Care
  • Cindy Veenhof portret
    Cindy Veenhof
    • Professor
    • Research group: Innovation of Movement Care

Language English
Published in Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine
Key words allied healthcare, rehabilitation , primary care, Covid-19
Digital Object Identifier 10.2340/jrm.v54.2506

Innovation of Movement Care