Medical workers’ views on how to provide support for COVID-19 survivors with ongoing symptom burden

Aim. Many survivors of COVID-19 develop impaired lung function, shortness of breath and decreased exercise tolerance. This can result in survivors experienced psychological problems such as depression and stigmatization. There is a need to support these individuals but it is unknown what this support should involve for COVID-19 survivors in Kyrgyzstan. This study explored the opinions of medical workers on how post-COVID-19 support should be designed, what elements should be included, and what barriers there may be in the implementation of support in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia.Methods. An electronic cross-sectional survey study was conducted in Russian language, developed by the NIHR Global RECHARGE Group. The study recruited medical workers of various specialties and from different medical institutions who worked directly with people infected with COVID-19. The survey was conducted anonymously and participation was voluntary.Results. 85 medical workers took part in the survey including pulmonologists (25%), nurses (12%) and other specialties (14%). According to medical workers, the main goal of post-COVID-19 support should be the amelioration of breathing problems (70%), increased physical exercise (57%) and elements of psychological support (57%). Medical workers reported that support should begin during the treatment for COVID-19 (65%), or immediately after returning from the hospital (59%). Respondents stated that it would be better to carry out support at home via video conference (65%), or by means of telephone calls (47%). The cost of treatment (47%) and the individual’s employment at work (43%) were deemed potential barriers to COVID-19 survivors participating in support interventions.Conclusions. Post-COVID-19 support was deemed by medical workers. Our results will directly inform the development and delivery of post-COVID support interventions in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia, in combination with the views and needs identified directly from COVID-19 survivors. Implementation Science/Service Development Research Ideas on Respiratory Conditions and Tobacco Dependency Abstract Declaration of Interest This research was funded by the University of Leicester IRDF ODA (M631PC27) and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) (17/63/20) using UK aid from the UK Government to support global health research. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the UK Department of Health and Social Care. References and Clinical Trial Registry Information None