Background
Long COVID (LC) often impacts on the ability of those affected to meet the demands of a work role, known as reduced work ability. This can have significant consequences on work and financial security.
Methods
A qualitative study of individual interviews with people living with LC (PwLC), health-care professionals and key informants (from occupational health, human resources, and managerial positions) was completed in late 2022, as part of a larger consortium study on long COVID assessment and treatment.
Results
Thirty-four people participated in the study. PwLC described wanting to resume working roles despite various obstacles to return to work (RTW) and staying at work (SAW). The most significant obstacles involved making the decision when to return to work, and where there was the greatest disparity between the demands of a work role and LC symptoms, having a pressured work environment to return to, and an unexpected adverse impact of returning to work on health, wellbeing and symptom management. Returning to work was regarded as a positive step in recovery by most of the participants, although this was highly dependent on getting supportive RTW plans in place with accommodations that accommodate the fluctuating nature of LC, work tasks and working hours. Further training and resources around work and LC were identified as needed for PwLC, employers and healthcare professionals (HCPs) delivering vocational rehabilitation interventions.
Conclusion
Further practical support is required to help employers and HCPs plan supportive RTW plans with PwLC that are caring, sustainable and keep people in work safely without exacerbation of symptoms. Using the interview findings, a LC-specific vocational rehabilitation intervention was developed to aid decision making around when to return to work and good practice for accommodations and formulating a RTW plan.
