Long COVID Takes Toll on Health System, Patients Face Extreme Upsurge in Healthcare Needs
New research reveals the significant strain Long COVID is placing on health systems globally. Analysis of 282,080 individuals shows a two-fold increase in healthcare costs for those with Long COVID compared to pre-COVID levels.
People experiencing Long COVID are accessing healthcare services at much higher rates than those who have recovered from acute COVID-19. These increased demands are stretching health resources and revealing the complex and often debilitating nature of this ongoing condition.
People with Long COVID use healthcare services significantly more than they did before.
A Costly and Complex Burden
The study, conducted by researchers seeking to understand the long-term consequences of COVID-19, found a marked difference in healthcare utilization between Long COVID sufferers and those who made a full recovery.
People with Long COVID were found to be accessing medical services with more frequency and across a broader spectrum. This included dramatically higher rates for:
* **General Practitioner consultations:** Individuals with Long COVID averaged 9.90 GP visits annually, compared to significantly lower rates for those without Long COVID.
* **Outpatient appointments:** The need for specialist care was demonstrably higher, with Long COVID individuals averaging 1.07 outpatient appointments annually.
* **Hospital admissions:** This group experienced higher hospitalization rates compared to individuals without Long COVID
* **Emergency department visits:** People living with Long COVID required more urgent medical attention demonstrably more often.
**Figure: Comparison of Annual Healthcare Utilization**
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Long COVID: A Global Concern
Experts warn these findings have implications that extend beyond individual well-being. The increase in healthcare utilization across various health services signifies a significant financial burden on healthcare systems globally. With estimates indicating as many as 65 million people worldwide experiencing Long COVID, the economic and medical implications are vast.
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Long COVID is a debilitating disease for patients, presenting in a myriad of ways, with far-reaching implications for those affected. In this context, it is understandable that people with Long COVID have complex healthcare needs and access services significantly more than others," shared one researcher.
Another expert added, “Health systems have been under strain from the impact of Long COVID, stretching staff and infrastructure.
This study quantifies that cost, finding that people with Long COVID have healthcare service needs extending to GP, outpatient, inpatient, and emergency departments. Annually the median cost per person is more than double what it was before contracting COVID.
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The long-term impacts of Long COVID are still unfolding. The large number of sufferers are now reliance on healthcare systems which were already under severe strain.
The solution proposed by researchers involves a more centralized and strategic response.
“Government and policy makers must take immediate action. The treatment and prevention of Long COVID must be prioritized in research,”
People with Long COVID require proactive medical support, and researchers aim to shed light on the disease through further studies specifically targeting treatment and prevention strategies.
What are some of the reasons behind this surge in healthcare demands?
## Interview: Long COVID Strains Health Systems
**Host:** Welcome back to the program. We’re turning our attention today to the ongoing impact of Long COVID, and its growing strain on global health systems. Joining us is Dr. Sarah Jones, a leading researcher in post-viral illnesses and a key contributor to the latest study on Long COVID’s healthcare burden. Dr. Jones, thank you for being with us.
**Dr. Jones:** It’s my pleasure to be here.
**Host:** Your study paints a concerning picture. What are the key findings regarding Long COVID’s impact on healthcare utilization?
**Dr. Jones:** Our analysis of over 282,000 individuals revealed a significant increase in healthcare needs for those experiencing Long COVID. Compared to individuals who fully recovered from acute COVID-19, Long COVID patients utilized healthcare services at significantly higher rates. This included a doubling of healthcare costs, more frequent visits to general practitioners (averaging almost 10 visits per year), increased specialist appointments, and higher rates of both hospital admissions and emergency room visits. [[1](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9648579/)].
**Host:** These are alarming figures. What are some of the reasons behind this surge in healthcare demands?
**Dr. Jones:** Long COVID is a complex condition with a wide range of debilitating symptoms that can persist for months or even years. This can include fatigue, brain fog, respiratory problems, and chronic pain. These symptoms often require ongoing medical management, contributing to the increased utilization of healthcare services.
**Host:** This highlights the significant impact Long COVID has not only on individual patients but also on the healthcare system as a whole. What are the implications of these findings?
**Dr. Jones:** This increase in healthcare utilization puts a tremendous strain on already stretched health systems globally. It emphasizes the urgent need for increased resources dedicated to Long COVID research, diagnosis, and treatment. We also need to develop strategies to better support patients experiencing Long COVID and help them manage their symptoms effectively.
**Host:** Dr. Jones, thank you for shedding light on this critical issue. Clearly, Long COVID is a growing global concern that demands our attention and resources.
**Dr. Jones:** Thank you for having me.
