Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42018978›Full record

ArticleJMIR research protocols2026

Care Pathways and Patient Experiences Among Patients With Post COVID-19 Condition: Study Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Study in Germany.

Daniela Gesell, Paula Lienesch, Yanyan Shi, Ralf Strobl, Martin Tauscher, Roman Gerlach, Eva Grill, Daniela Koller

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR research protocols, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Daniela GesellDepartment of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Musculoskeletal University Center Munich (MUM), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, Munich, 81377, Germany.
Paula LieneschInstitute of Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr 15, Munich, Bavaria, 81377, Germany, 49 894400, 77376.ORCID 0009-0003-3296-3776
Yanyan ShiInstitute of Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr 15, Munich, Bavaria, 81377, Germany, 49 894400, 77376.ORCID 0000-0003-2609-1329
Ralf StroblInstitute of Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr 15, Munich, Bavaria, 81377, Germany, 49 894400, 77376.ORCID 0000-0002-7719-948X
Martin TauscherBavarian Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, Munich, Germany.ORCID 0009-0009-9814-4451
Roman GerlachBavarian Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, Munich, Germany.
Eva GrillInstitute of Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr 15, Munich, Bavaria, 81377, Germany, 49 894400, 77376.ORCID 0000-0002-0273-7984
Daniela KollerDepartment of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Musculoskeletal University Center Munich (MUM), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, Munich, 81377, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-3203-7188

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has a lasting impact on health care utilization, as both the acute infection and post COVID condition (PCC) can lead to increased demand for medical services due to ongoing symptoms. Objective: The aim of this study is to systematically examine health care utilization among individuals after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in Bavaria, Germany, with a particular focus on PCC. The study combines claims data analysis with qualitative interviews to improve the understanding of objective care pathways and patients' subjective experiences within the health care system. Methods: The research project 'SOLongCOVID' employs a mixed-methods design consisting of two subprojects: (1) a retrospective cohort study using claims data from the Bavarian Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KVB) to analyze care pathways through state sequence analysis, (2) a qualitative study based on semistructured interviews and focus groups with patients with PCC concerning their subjective care experiences. A synthesis process involving a focus group discussion will combine the information from the two subprojects, providing a comprehensive understanding of the care processes of patients with PCC. Results: The study was funded by the German Federal Joint Committee Innovation Fund in October 2024. Statutory health insurance claims data cover the period from 2019 to 2022, and qualitative interview data collection is planned from May 2025 to August 2026. As of manuscript submission, study preparation and ethics approvals have been completed, and 14 participants have been recruited for the qualitative interviews. Study findings are anticipated to be published from July 2026 to August 2027. Conclusions: The results are expected to enhance the understanding of existing barriers and challenges and to support evidence-based recommendations for improving care pathways for patients with specific care needs.

Indexed as

COVID-19Critical PathwaysPatient Acceptance of Health CareGermanyHumansPost-Acute COVID-19 SyndromeQualitative ResearchResearch DesignRetrospective StudiesSARS-CoV-2ambulatory carehealthcare pathwayslong COVIDmixed-methodspatient experiencesPCCpost COVID condition

Identifiers

PMID42018978
PMCPMC13102282

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.