School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom.
National Institute for Health and Care Research, Applied Research Collaboration East Midland, University of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom.
PLoS One. 2024 Aug 12;19(8):e0307062. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307062. eCollection 2024.
Few previous studies have considered the experiences of people with long covid returning to work beyond symptoms in terms of employer and other support factors. The aim of this research was to understand the experience of returning to work for those with long covid symptoms in contrast to the non-long covid group who had not experienced COVID-19 during the time restrictions were imposed to limit the spread of COVID-19 infection. Twenty-one participants with long covid and 13 participants who had not had COVID-19 were interviewed. Themes were identified from transcripts using framework analysis. Participants with long covid experienced difficulties returning to work, particularly from fatigue, cognitive symptoms and breathlessness. Symptoms were heterogeneous and fluctuated in severity over time. A lack of understanding from colleagues and managers sometimes led to a premature return to work without adequate support, associated with further long covid relapse. Outside-of-work, support was salient for a successful return to work. The standard phased return offered by employers may be too short and rigid for some people with long covid. They may benefit from a tailored intervention to support a return to work that targets symptom management, and engages with work colleagues, managers, and family members.
先前的研究很少考虑到长新冠患者在重返工作岗位时的雇主和其他支持因素，除了症状之外的体验。本研究的目的是了解与未经历过 COVID-19 的非长新冠患者相比，有长新冠症状的患者重返工作岗位的经历，当时为了限制 COVID-19 感染的传播，实施了时间限制。对 21 名长新冠患者和 13 名未感染过 COVID-19 的患者进行了访谈。使用框架分析法从转录本中确定主题。长新冠患者在重返工作岗位时遇到困难，特别是疲劳、认知症状和呼吸困难。症状具有异质性，且随着时间的推移波动。同事和经理的理解不足有时会导致在没有充分支持的情况下过早重返工作岗位，从而导致长新冠进一步复发。工作之外的支持对于成功重返工作岗位至关重要。雇主提供的标准分阶段返回模式可能对一些长新冠患者来说太短且僵化。他们可能受益于针对症状管理的个性化干预措施，以及与同事、经理和家庭成员的接触，以支持重返工作岗位。
