British Thoracic Society survey of rehabilitation to support recovery of the post-COVID- 19 population

Singh, Sally J.; Barradell, Amy C.; Greening, Neil J.; Bolton, Charlotte; Jenkins, Gisli; Preston, Louise; Hurst, John R.

Abstract

Objective A proportion of those recovering from COVID-19 are likely to have significant and ongoing symptoms, functional impairment and psychological disturbances. There is an immediate need to develop a safe and efficient discharge process and recovery programme. Established rehabilitation programmes are well placed to deliver a programme for this group but will most likely need to be adapted for the post-COVID- 19 population. The purpose of this survey was to rapidly identify the components of a post-COVID- 19 rehabilitation assessment and elements of a successful rehabilitation programme that would be required to deliver a comprehensive service for those post-COVID- 19 to inform service delivery. Design A survey comprising a series of closed questions and a free-text comment box allowing for a qualitative analysis. Setting Online survey. Participants Multiprofessional clinicians across specialties were invited to take part. Results 1031 participants responded from a broad range of specialties. There was overwhelming support for an early posthospital discharge recovery programme to advise patients about the management of fatigue (95% agreed/strongly agreed), breathlessness (94%) and mood disturbances (including symptoms of anxiety and depression, 92%). At the time point of 6-8 weeks, an assessment was considered important, focusing on a broad range of possible symptoms and supporting a return to work. Recommendations for the intervention described a holistic programme focusing on symptom management, return of function and return to employment. The free-text comments added depth to the survey and the need 'not to reinvent the wheel' but rather adapt well-established rehabilitation services to individually tailor needs-based care with continued learning for service development. Conclusion The responses indicate a huge interest and the urgent need to establish a programme to support and mitigate the long-term impact of COVID-19 by optimising and individualising existing rehabilitation programmes.

Citation

Singh, S. J., Barradell, A. C., Greening, N. J., Bolton, C., Jenkins, G., Preston, L., & Hurst, J. R. (2020). British Thoracic Society survey of rehabilitation to support recovery of the post-COVID- 19 population. BMJ Open, 10(12), Article e040213. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040213

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 31, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Dec 2, 2020
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Deposit Date: Dec 15, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 6, 2021
• Journal: BMJ Open
• Electronic ISSN: 2044-6055
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 12
• Article Number: e040213
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040213
• Keywords: General Medicine
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5148963
• Publisher URL: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/12/e040213