Long COVID in long-term care: a rapid realist review

Abstract

ObjectivesThe goals of this rapid realist review were to ask: (a) what are the key mechanisms that drive successful interventions for long COVID in long-term care (LTC) and (b) what are the critical contexts that determine whether the mechanisms produce the intended outcomes?DesignRapid realist review.Data sourcesMedline, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO and Web of Science for peer-reviewed literature and Google for grey literature were searched up to 23 February 2023.Eligibility criteriaWe included sources focused on interventions, persons in LTC, long COVID or post-acute phase at least 4 weeks following initial COVID-19 infection and ones that had a connection with source materials.Data extraction and synthesisThree independent reviewers searched, screened and coded studies. Two independent moderators resolved conflicts. A data extraction tool organised relevant data into context-mechanism-outcome configurations using realist methodology. Twenty-one sources provided 51 intervention data excerpts used to develop our programme theory. Synthesised findings were presented to a reference group and expert panel for confirmatory purposes.ResultsFifteen peer-reviewed articles and six grey literature sources were eligible for inclusion. Eleven context-mechanism-outcome configurations identify those contextual factors and underlying mechanisms associated with desired outcomes, such as clinical care processes and policies that ensure timely access to requisite resources for quality care delivery, and resident-centred assessments and care planning to address resident preferences and needs. The underlying mechanisms associated with enhanced outcomes for LTC long COVID survivors were: awareness, accountability, vigilance and empathetic listening.ConclusionsAlthough the LTC sector struggles with organisational capacity issues, they should be aware that comprehensively assessing and monitoring COVID-19 survivors and providing timely interventions to those with long COVID is imperative. This is due to the greater care needs of residents with long COVID, and coordinated efficient care is required to optimise their quality of life.

Exploring Post-COVID-19 Functional Outcomes in Residents in Long-Term Care Homes in British Columbia, Canada

“…Finally, it is important to note that the research question addressed in the current study tapped into overall differences in selected functional outcomes in residents with and without history of COVID-19, in available time intervals (quarterly assessments). More granular investigation was conducted about the very important topic of pandemic mortality in LTC, as well as about individual outcome trajectories among COVID-19 survivors (e.g., the Long COVID conditions; Fyffe et al, 2023 ; Sorensen et al, 2022 ). These two topics required different research designs and analytical approaches, and the results are reported and discussed in separate reports.…”