Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42057113›Full record

ArticleBMC health services research2026

Opportunities and barriers in care for patients with post COVID-19 condition: a Delphi study among healthcare workers.

Stella C M Heemskerk, Iris M Brus, Annemieke de Groot, Lous Rijssenbeek-Nouwens, Peter Tieleman, Maike Ter Wolbeek, Alex Burdorf, Sara Biere-Rafi, Juanita A Haagsma

Abstract read
In one paragraph

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

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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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

9 authors.

Stella C M HeemskerkDepartment of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. s.c.m.heemskerk@erasmusmc.nl.
Iris M BrusDepartment of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Annemieke de GrootC-support, 's Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
Lous Rijssenbeek-NouwensC-support, 's Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
Peter TielemanC-support, 's Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
Maike Ter WolbeekC-support, 's Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
Alex BurdorfDepartment of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Sara Biere-Rafi *Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Juanita A Haagsma *Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPost COVID-19 condition (PCC) presents complex, long-term health challenges, yet evidence-based treatments and well-organized care pathways remain limited, creating uncertainty for healthcare professionals. This study aimed to identify healthcare workers’ (HCWs) perspectives on prerequisites, barriers and strategies for improving care for patients with PCC in the Netherlands.

methodsAn online Delphi study was conducted between October 2023 and June 2024, comprising two questionnaire rounds among Dutch HCWs directly or indirectly involved in PCC care. Questionnaire themes were informed by prior research and expert input. Responses were analyzed descriptively, and feasibility ratings were assessed on a 10-point scale.

resultsA total of 270 HCWs participated in round one, of whom 169 (63%) completed round two. Most participants worked in primary care and were directly involved in PCC care. One-third of HCWs reported insufficient treatment options and 25% indicated that PCC care is poorly organized. Key prerequisites included evidence-based treatment options (57%), interprofessional collaboration (34%) and scientific research (31%). Major barriers were lack of specialized PCC treatment centers (38%), limited recognition of PCC (27%) and absence of medication and treatments (25%). Broadening the professional knowledgebase and establishing specialized PCC treatment centers were ranked as top strategies to improve PCC care and were considered feasible. HCWs rated their own PCC knowledge higher than PCC knowledge of their peers (7.8 versus 5.8/10) but acknowledged gaps, particularly in treatment options and biomedical aspects. High workload and lack of capacity and time (49%), and lack of reimbursement for interprofessional consultations (43%) were major barriers for multidisciplinary collaboration.

conclusionsPCC care in the Netherlands faces significant organizational and knowledge-related challenges. Strengthening collaboration across care domains and levels, alongside targeted long-term investments in research, education, and specialized care pathways are essential to improve care quality and address identified prerequisites and barriers.

Indexed as

Attitude of Health PersonnelCOVID-19Health PersonnelAdultDelphi TechniqueFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedNetherlandsPost-Acute COVID-19 SyndromeSARS-CoV-2Surveys and QuestionnairesCare prerequisitesHealthcare workers' perspectiveLong COVIDLong COVID carePost COVID-19 carePost COVID-19 conditionQuality of care

Identifiers

PMID42057113
PMCPMC13270559

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY
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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.