Lay summary
The post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 infection (known as Long COVID, LC) is established as a concern worldwide. In Aotearoa New Zealand, as well as this being a significant problem for people who developed COVID prior to 2022, the magnitude of the Omicron outbreak reinforces the need to ensure evidence-based treatment for people with LC, which has significant detrimental effects on health, health services and wellbeing.
The aim of our proposal is to establish a multi-disciplinary Long COVID Collective, including people with lived experience, tāngata whenua, researchers, primary and secondary care health professionals. We will employ a Research Fellow to achieve the following: i) set up the Collective, using established and new networks; ii) conduct four hui, to focus on prioritising areas for research and improved health delivery and iii) continue existing literature syntheses of evidence-based management of LC. The project will provide the platform for future optimal health delivery.