Awareness, knowledge, and management of long COVID amongst a cohort of primary care-based physiotherapists in New Zealand

Abstract

Long COVID is an emerging condition predicted to have a high impact on the health system, with primary care often being the point of contact for people living with long COVID. However, there is currently very little known about primary care physiotherapists’ assessment and management of long COVID in New Zealand. An online survey was distributed to New Zealand based physiotherapists working in primary care via Physiotherapy New Zealand special interest group and branch networks, with the aim of exploring current knowledge and awareness of long COVID diagnosis, assessment, and management. Forty one responses were analysed and highlighted good recognition of long COVID symptoms and secondary effects. There was a limited degree of confidence in long COVID symptom management and a lack of consistency in assessment and management strategies currently being applied. Respondents perceived a lack of awareness by the public and other health professionals of the physiotherapist’s role in long COVID, possibly creating a barrier to patients with long COVID accessing services. In the absence of validated long COVID treatments, symptom management is of vital importance. There is a need to support primary care-based physiotherapists and ensure access to up-to-date, evidence informed information to provide best patient care.