Evaluation of a multidisciplinary Long COVID service

This project aims to assess the extent to which a multidisciplinary Long COVID service in Aotearoa New Zealand meets the needs of people with Long COVID.

It has become evident that there is a clear need for specialised Long COVID services. A vital component of these services is being multidisciplinary in nature and addressing both the physical and psychological needs of people with Long COVID. Efforts are underway to provide similar services in Aotearoa New Zealand. However, many questions remain regarding how these services meet the needs of people with Long COVID.

This study will involve a mixed-methods evaluation of a Long COVID multidisciplinary service.

Study objectives

1. We will conduct a medical case-note review using participants' medical records to evaluate how the service has impacted their health outcomes and their ability to return to work.
2. We will conduct in-depth interviews with individuals who have been invited to receive care at this service and other stakeholders involved in the service processes to learn about their experiences and any ideas for future improvement. We will follow a kaupapa Māori wānanga to identify, explore and discuss themes related to their experience of the service.

Study output

The result of this study will be a set of recommendations aimed at improving existing Long COVID services and guiding the development of future services in Aotearoa New Zealand. These recommendations will help ensure that the clinics effectively address the needs of individuals living with Long COVID.

Project leads