Long COVID in Family Medicine and Primary Care Services

After a COVID-19 infection, 5-10% of infected individuals report persistent symptoms. The condition, known as long COVID or post-COVID syndrome, is characterized by heterogeneous multisystem, and fluctuating symptoms which include fatigue, neurological complaints and pain. For many affected individuals, these symptoms significantly impair daily functioning, work ability, and quality of life. Despite its growing relevance, long COVID remains diagnostically and therapeutically challenging. There are currently no biomarkers or definitive laboratory tests to determine the disease, and testing for COVID-19 is less common. Hence doctors and therapists face major challenges in diagnosis. This diagnostic uncertainty, combined with variable disease trajectories and limited evidence for targeted therapies, poses considerable challenges for healthcare systems. Since general practitioners are often the first point of contact for patients, the perspective of family medicine is of particular importance for healthcare research and improved patient care. This Research Topic aims to present research on long COVID that is relevant to family medicine and primary care, with a focus on patient centred interdisciplinary care structures that include validation and psychotherapeutic support to help patients cope, adjust, and manage the psychological impact of chronic symptoms and uncertainty. We welcome manuscripts which consider the unique opportunities and challenges of care for long COVID in general practice and provide insights of interest and value to family doctors. Attention will also be paid to low-threshold services that integrate all forms of digital healthcare, better social recognition and transparent information channels.We welcome contributions including, but not limited to, the following topics:• Recognition and diagnosis of long COVID in a primary care setting• Doctor-patient communication, including patient and doctor perspectives• Factors influencing the care of patients with long COVID, particularly age-specific care needs and requirements• Influence of coping processes in the context of the course of the disease• Digital health applications and integration for diagnosis and therapy • Stigmatization in connection with long COVID and its consequences• Prognosis, risk stratification, and disease trajectories• Symptom management strategies in primary careThis collection welcomes qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods submissions, including Original Research, Review Articles, Brief Research Reports, Methods Papers, Case Studies, and Study Protocols. Topic editors: Silke Brenne, Susanne Young, Marcia Spoelder Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78964/long-covid-in-family-medicine-and-primary-care-services