Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39673203›Full record

ArticleOccupational medicine (Oxford, England)2025

Long COVID in healthcare workers: longitudinal mixed-methods study.

A Grant, N N Adams, E MacIver, D Skåtun, N Scott, C Kennedy, F Douglas, V Hernandez-Santiago, N Torrance

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Occupational medicine (Oxford, England), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Patients seeking occupational health advice before and after COVID-19.Occupational medicine (Oxford, England) · 2026
    Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

A GrantSchool of Health, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen AB10 7QB, UK.
N N AdamsSchool of Health, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen AB10 7QB, UK.
E MacIverSchool of Health, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen AB10 7QB, UK.ORCID 0000-0001-9579-6512
D SkåtunHealth Economics Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
N ScottDivision of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
C KennedySchool of Pharmacy, Applied Sciences and Public Health, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen AB10 7QB, UK.
F DouglasSchool of Health, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen AB10 7QB, UK.
V Hernandez-SantiagoSchool of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TF, UK.
N TorranceSchool of Health, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen AB10 7QB, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-7856-7408

Funding

Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health Directorates
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHealthcare workers (HCWs) report higher rates of long coronavirus disease (COVID) (LC) than other occupational groups. It is still unclear whether LC is a lifelong condition. Workforce shortfalls are apparent due to sick leave, reduced hours and lower productivity.

aimsTo investigate the lived experience of LC on a range of HCWs, including impact on health-related quality-of-life (HRQL), use of health services, working and personal lives and household finances.

methodsLongitudinal mixed methods with online surveys and qualitative interviews 6-months apart. HCWs including healthcare professionals, ancillary and administration staff who self-report LC were recruited through social media and National Health Service channels. Interviewees were purposively sampled from survey responses.

resultsThe first survey was completed by 471 HCWs (S1) and 302 (64%) the follow-up (S2). A total of 50 HCWs were interviewed initially and 44 at second interview. All participants experienced various relapsing, remitting, changing and prolonged LC symptoms (mean 7.1 [SD 4.8] at S2) and a third reported day-to-day activities 'limited a lot'. Most participants were working in a reduced capacity: reduced hours, different role or location. Healthcare was limited, and often unsatisfactory. Participants feared reinfection, their future, ability to work and financial security (59% (n = 174) at S2). They experienced stigma, distress, grief for their former self and some felt unsupported, however, as awareness of LC grew some experienced improved understanding and support.

conclusionsMost participants continued working, managing complex and dynamic symptoms effecting their everyday life and ability to work. Most did not report significant improvements over time and feared for their future and financial security.

Indexed as

COVID-19Health PersonnelAdultFemaleHumansLongitudinal StudiesMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchQuality of LifeSARS-CoV-2Sick LeaveSurveys and Questionnaires

Identifiers

PMID39673203
PMCPMC12257932

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.