A research collaboration funded by the Pat Cosh Trust between St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Western Health, Alfred Health and Monash University is conducting a survey that will be used to develop a physiotherapy-specific learning resource for clinicians managing patients presenting with post-COVID syndrome, also known as long COVID.

The longer-term impacts of COVID-19 infection are increasingly being recognised.

Post-COVID syndrome is described by the World Health Organization as a condition that ‘occurs in individuals with a history of probable or confirmed SARS CoV-2 infection, usually three months from the onset of COVID-19 with symptoms that last for at least two months and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis.

'Common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, cognitive dysfunction but also others and generally have an impact on everyday functioning.

'Symptoms may be new onset following initial recovery from an acute COVID-19 episode or persist from the initial illness.

'Symptoms may also fluctuate or relapse over time.’

Participation in this study involves the completion of a survey that asks for your perspectives on the optimal content and delivery of a learning package to support physiotherapy care of people who have post-COVID syndrome.

Responses to the survey will inform the development of a learning package on post-COVID syndrome, specifically designed for physiotherapists.

This is a one-off online survey that takes less than 10 minutes to complete.

Your responses are anonymous and are stored within a secure Qualtrics database portal.

Ethics approval was obtained through Monash University (HREC 32451, dated 12 April 2022).

The survey is currently open and will remain open until 30 September 2022.

Who can participate?

Qualified (or student) physiotherapists who are:

• registered to practise in Australia
• working in any setting (such as public or private hospital, community rehabilitation/health centre, private practice)
• currently or expecting to deliver physiotherapy care to patients presenting with post-COVID conditions.

How to participate

If you are willing to participate in this research, click here for further information and to take part in the survey.