Management of patients with Long Covid: A qualitative study exploring the roles of nurses in healthcare pathways

Abstract

Aim Investigate the various roles played by nurses in the care of patients afflicted with Long COVID. Background Effectively managing Long Covid requires a multidisciplinary approach - a healthcare pathway that necessitates collaboration among various members of the medical profession to monitor the patient. Among these professions, nursing plays a crucial role. This article compiles information on how nurses are involved in the care of patients afflicted with Long Covid: What roles do they play in enhancing the care of these patients? Are these roles distinct from those they perform in other chronic conditions? Methods We conducted a qualitative study among healthcare professionals in France and enrolled eighteen participants in our study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with professionals working across various care sectors in France, including private practice, hospitals, schools, and research. A thematic content analysis was performed, and emerging themes were subsequently discussed until the most significant categories were identified. This study was conducted in accordance with the COREQ checklist. Results Nurses play a wide range of roles within their practices, depending on their practice settings. For instance, a nurse practitioner may work in a range of settings such as hospital outpatient clinics, private group practices, inpatient units, or urgent care units. Depending on their work environment, nurses' roles within healthcare pathways may encompass screening and guidance, clinical patient monitoring, providing relational support, patient education, collaborative care and coordination as well as involvement in research. Conclusion The predominant role identified in our study involves coordinating the management of the Long Covid syndrome. The next step would be the implementation of a city-hospital Long Covid healthcare pathway. Implication for the Nursing & Health Policy Perspectives Nursing work is difficult to specify, as it includes numerous recognised and unrecognised aspects. The results of this study highlight a new essential role which is that of coordinating the health pathways of patients suffering from Long Covid.