Evidence

The aim of the study reported here was to reflect and report on lessons learned from adapting HCI methods to fit into an agile development process delivering a digital intervention for people managing Long Covid.

Read more on the Association for Computing Machinery Digital Library website.

Generalised linear mixed models were fitted to estimate trajectories of functional limitations, using the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS); scores of ≥20 indicate moderately severe limitations. Other outcomes included fatigue using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) reversed score (scores of ≥22 indicate impairment), HRQL using the EQ-5D-5L, and long COVID-related societal costs, encompassing healthcare costs and productivity losses.

Read more on the National Library of Medicine website.

This study explores the influence of clinic-led onboarding and interaction processes on patient engagement within a digital health program for long COVID care, the Living with COVID Recovery (LWCR) program. We compared clinical practices and patient engagement levels across seven clinics utilising LWCR, gaining insights that could optimise digital health interventions (DHIs) for long COVID care.

Read more on the Sage Journals website.

The potential and expected benefits of digital health interventions (DHI) have long been discussed, yet substantial challenges are associated with deploying DHI at scale. Insights are presented concerning the implementation of a DHI consisting of a patient-facing app and a digital dashboard for clinicians providing supported self-management for long COVID to support both clinicians and patients.

Read more on the National Library of Medicine website.

The aim of the study reported here was to reflect and report on lessons learned from adapting HCI methods to fit into an agile development process delivering a digital intervention for people managing Long Covid. During the project, we maintained a record of all activities and interim design products. Subsequently, selected records were analysed qualitatively. Challenges included engaging patients managing this complex, debilitating health condition and fitting the digital intervention into different and evolving patient pathways provided by clinics. The key contributions of this paper are a description of the clinically supported self-management app, Living With Covid Recovery, and of adapted methods for user-centred design and testing; narratives on engaging diverse clinics integrating a digital health intervention in their care pathways; reflections on designing for diverse users; implications for design of future technologies for supported self-management; and insights into multidisciplinary working that are rarely discussed within HCI.

Read more on the ACM Digital Library

Objectives: to investigate long COVID (LC) symptoms self-reported via a digital application. Explore associations between various demographic factors and intensity of LC symptoms.

Read more on the National Library of Medicine website.

The study uses Living With’s data from the Covid Recovery product (LWCR).

The study concludes with the following paragraph: “In this first UK national study reporting clinical symptoms from patients referred for assessment and treatment of PCS, we demonstrate high levels of functional impairment and low HRQoL. Fatigue appears to be the symptom most strongly associated with functional impairment. Currently, clinical services lack evidence-based approaches in treating patients experiencing fatigue related to PCS with no standard rehabilitation pathway. This requires further targeted research. Our future work to explore the recovery trajectory of patients using the LWCR DHI may help to establish the extent to which WSAS and other PROMs are sensitive to changes in the health of a patient with PCS. This work can contribute to the identification of PROMs best suited for use in assessing, managing and treating patients with PCS, both digitally and in face- to-face appointments.”

Read more on BMJ Journals.

As mortality rates from COVID-19 disease fall, the high prevalence of long-term sequelae (Long COVID) is becoming increasingly widespread, challenging healthcare systems globally. Traditional pathways of care for Long Term Conditions (LTCs) have tended to be managed by disease-specific specialties, an approach that has been ineffective in delivering care for patients with multi-morbidity. The multi-system nature of Long COVID and its impact on physical and psychological health demands a more effective model of holistic, integrated care. The evolution of integrated care systems (ICSs) in the UK presents an important opportunity to explore areas of mutual benefit to LTC, multi-morbidity and Long COVID care. There may be benefits in comparing and contrasting ICPs for Long COVID with ICPs for other LTCs.

Read more on the PLOS One website.