Exploring the Experiences, Expectations and Preferences of Patients With the UHS COVID-19 Follow-up Clinic

Overview

People who are older, those who had underlying other health conditions and people living in poorer communities are at increased risk of complications and worse outcome from COVID-19. They are more likely to be admitted to hospital with this virus. In the UK in 2020, over 130,000 people were admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Whilst admission rates fell since then, there is a need to understand better the potential impact of the many symptoms resulting from a COVID-19 infection on patients and the health services. To achieve this, the respiratory team in the University Hospital set up a COVID-19 follow-up clinic for patients who had COVID-19 infection. In this clinic, for a period of 12 weeks patients have chest X-rays, blood tests and virtual medical consultations. The clinic has been running for three years. This study will be conducted study to understand the expectations, preferences and experiences of patients who have been receiving care in the clinic. On one hand, patients who have received care in the clinic during the last yearwill be interviewed. On the other hand, patients who have been newly referred to the clinic will be interviewed before they start it and also after 12 weeks about how their expectations have been met. Patients will be identified by their clinical team and after consenting to take part in the study, they will be interviewed by qualitative researchers who will also analyse the interview data using scientific methods. The results of this study will help understanding whether changes are to be made to this clinic and also inform future similar services should they be needed.

The long-term consequences of COVID-19 remain unclear. People who are older, have medical comorbidities and those who live in areas of increased socio-economic deprivation are at increased risk of poor outcome and complications from COVID-19 (1). In 2020, over 130,000 people have been admitted to hospital with COVID-19 in the UK (2). Whilst admission rates fell, the potential impact of 'post-COVID' syndromes on patients and the health services need longer-term further investigation. The British Thoracic Society (BTS) COVID-19 Guidance advises follow-up of patients who had COVID-19, depending on whether the patient required intensive/higher care versus ward/community care.1. For mild/moderate disease, BTS recommends virtual follow-up with a chest X-ray (1). A wide range of symptoms and reduced HRQoL has been detected in these patients reinforcing the importance of a implementing a holistic approach advocated by the BTS and other guidelines (2). The COVID follow-up service was set up in 2020 in the Southampton General Hospital to provide longer-term care to patients with COVID-19 chest symptoms. The changing nature of the pandemic and an extension of the cohort from patients discharged after hospital stay for COVID-19 infection to previously not hospitalised patients referred by GPs call for an evaluation of the COVID follow-up clinic to explore patient experiences, expectations, and preferences with this service.